Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Fact sheets: renting and COVID-19
Writing to your lessor: examples of letters
Forms you might need
Rental grants, bond loans and other housing assistance
Centrelink income support payments
National 24 hour counselling and support services
Government COVID-19 health advice & support services
Emergency relief services in Queensland
Other sources of useful information and advice

Updated May 7

Read here for a summary of changes for tenants and residents during COVID

1. Fact sheets: renting and COVID-19

Tenants Queensland have developed fact sheets for tenants and residents affected by COVID-19. They include:

General information for tenants & residents affected by COVID-19 (entries, repairs, rent arrears)
Entry and Repairs – detailed information about how and when entries can be made
Rent Arrears, Reductions & Terminating your tenancy – struggling to pay rent – what to do!
For renters in sharehouses
Information for international students
If violence affects your tenancy

You don’t have to draw down on your superannuation at the request of your lessor or agent. Read what ASIC wrote to the real estate industry here

If you need further advice, you can contact Tenants Queensland for free tenancy advice service on 1300 744 263

2. Writing to your lessor: examples of letters

Lots of Queensland renters are in similar situations as a result of COVID-19. You can download thes examples of letters to help you respond to your agent or lessor. Letters about:

These documents are in DRAFT form, and have been provided to you as a guide only. They should not be constituted as legal advice. Tenants Queensland Inc. disclaims all liability with respect to information contained in these documents. You will need to amend each document to suit your circumstances, as appropriate.

3. Forms you might need

If you need RTA forms, download general tenancy forms here and rooming accommodation forms here. You might need:

Form 16a if you need RTA COVID conciliation over rent reduction, entries or other issues. When renters are affected by income loss and you cannot negotiate a rent reduction, conciliation will be compulsory before the agent or landlord can try to evict you for arrears.
Form 13 or Form R13 – Notice of Intention to Leave.
Form 18d (general) or Form 18e (rooming) or Form 18f (moveable dwelling) – this form is used to vary your agreement (e.g. rent reduction) as a result of the COVID-19 issues.

Other:

Application to QCAT have a residential tenancy dispute heard. QCAT From 2.

The RTA has also developed a COVID tenancy practice guide.

4. Rental grants, bond loans and other housing assistance

The Queensland government has announced changes renting laws during COVID-19, with the aim of preventing avoidable evictions and supporting negotiations between tenants, lessors and agents.

The Residential Hub has been established by the Queensland government as a central point for information and support if COVID-19 is affecting your tenancy. Including:

Information for private and social housing renters
Information about the COVID-19 Rental Grants and bond loans
Frequently asked questions

COVID rental grants and bond loans. The COVID-19 Rental Grants have now closed. We have left the link here in case you have applied but have not had your grant finalised. The COVID-19 Rental Grant is a one-off payment of up to 4 weeks rent (maximum of $2000) available to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is paid directly to your lessor.

For your rental grant to be successful you must meet the following criteria:

live in Queensland
have, or will shortly have, a tenancy agreement registered with the Residential Tenancies Authority
are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a temporary or permanent protection visa or possess a bridging visa
do not have more than $10,000 in cash and savings
can provide evidence of attempts to negotiate a payment plan with your lessor
have lost your job and have applied to Centrelink for income support
are waiting for your application with Centrelink to be approved

More information here or call: 1800 497 161
Stay up to date with Queensland government news at the COVID-18 Residential Hub

Queensland Homeless Hotline: 1800 474 753
For people in urgent need of housing – specialist homelessness services will have access to funds to deliver additional services, such as motel accommodation. Call the hotline.

5. Centrelink income support payments

Fact Sheets about payments for individuals and households:

Economic Support Payments
Two separate payments of $750 to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders:

First payment available to from March 12 to April 13.
Second payment on 10 July 2020.
For further details re eligibility check: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/households

Coronavirus Supplement
The Coronavirus Supplement of $550/fortnight will be available to:

any sole traders, self-employed, casual or contract workers whose income has been reduced to below $1,075/fortnight;
permanent workers who have been stood down or lost their job; and
People receiving JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, ABstudy, Austudy, Parenting payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.

People on disability pensions or age pensions are currently not eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement. They will get the two $750 Economic Support Payments.

Assets test and waiting period has been waived for the period of the Coronavirus supplement: six months from April 27.

If you already get a Centrelink payment you do not need to contact Centrelink to get the additional payments. The two lump sum $750 Economic Supplement Payment and the additional $550 Coronavirus Supplement will come through automatically.

Job Seeker Payment
They will be expanded to assist:

sole traders, self-employed, casual or contract workers whose income has reduced
permanent workers who have been stood down or lost their job
people caring for someone infected or in isolation as a result of contact with Coronavirus.

Income testing will apply. Eligible if income below $1,075/fortnight.

People will need to exhaust their long service leave entitlements before being eligible for JobSeeker. People can’t receive payments if they’re receiving income protection, annual leave or sick leave.

Phone Centrelink: 132 850

8am – 8pm local time on weekdays
9am – 5pm on weekend

People who have lost their jobs and need to apply for a payment urgently can do so:

Online: through MyGov, if they have digital access.
Phone: Jobseeker payment: 132 850
In person: If people decide to line up it will be important to practise social distancing.

DON’T GIVE UP. Keep trying to connect online or phone. Be patient with Centrelink staff.

Expanding Eligibility and Qualification for Payments

From 27 April 2020, access to payments will become easier with a temporary removal of the requirement for an Employment Separation Certificate, proof of rental arrangements and verification of relationship status.

Centrelink is now known as Services Australia.For general information:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

6. National 24 hour counselling & support services

If you, or a loved one, need to talk with a support service please do call one of the services listed below. There are people ready to listen 24 hours a day.

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36
24 hours / 7 days a week or go to: beyondblue.org.au
You can call day or night. Select from the test voice menu or simply hold on line to talk to a trained mental health professional.
The website has advice for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people for whom English is not their first language.

Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line: 1800 737 732
24 hour confidential information, counselling & support: 1800 737 732
For online services got to: https://www.1800respect.org.au/

DV Connect: 1800 811 811

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Immediate phone support for people very distressed and feeling suicidal. Plus support and de-briefing for workers and members the community who have been trying to assist a person wanting to end their lives. And for anyone who has lost someone to suicide.

Lifeline
Website information and 24 hour crisis telephone number: 13 11 14

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Free 24 hour counselling for young people 5 – 25 years

Mensline: 1300 78 99 78

7. Government COVID-19 health advice & support services

Queensland Health Coronavirus Advice call 13 43 25 or website information on:

Health Advice
Government actions
Care Army
Help & Advice,
Essential Information
Industry and Business

Support for people in self-isolation or quarantine: 1800 173 349
Get advice, information and support or to arrange non-contact delivery of essential food and medication for people who have no other means of support.

Support for Older Queenslanders: 1800 173 349
The state government is extending services provided through Home Assist Secure to help older Queenslanders and people with a disability needing extra support to remain in their homes and self-isolate.

Support for Queenslanders with Disabilities: 1800 173 349
Queenslanders with disability, who don’t have carers, family or friends to assist them, are encouraged to phone this Community Recovery Hotline to request essential food, household items and medicines.

Water and Energy Bills
The Queensland government will be providing up to $200 credit for all 2.1 million Queensland householders to offset the cost of water and electricity.or information on home energy emergency.

Energy providers will also have strategies to minimize hardship, including: suspension of any disconnections for the time being, payment plans and deferred payments until the crisis is over. People will need to contact their energy provider for assistance.

8. Emergency relief services in Queensland

Most emergency relief services are encouraging people to phone them first. They are closed to people walking in for assistance. Where possible they are arranging safe home deliveries or providing take away vouchers, meals and food parcels. They may ask people for ID; and will have specific times when you can get assistance. Do call them if you need help. Here are the contact numbers or links for key services.

Vinnies Helpline: 1800 846 643

Wesley Mission Queensland: 1300 865 307

Wesley Mission’s Brisbane Relief Hub: 1300 541 625

SALVOS Connect: 1300 371 288

Logan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Support: 3826 1599

Anglicare Southern Queensland: 1300 114 397

Red Cross: 1800 733 276 service information here

Oneplace:
Search over 53,000 Queensland family and community services from emergency relief to domestic and family violence services

Ask Lizzy
A website and App that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need, including food and emergency relief.