Germany
Since July 1st, regulations aiming at protecting tenant rights during the COVID-19 crisis in Germany are not valid anymore. According to the Kündigungsschutz, tenants could not be evicted from their homes until June 30, 2022 for failing to pay their rents from April 1st to June 30, 2020. They had been granted a two-year moratorium to reimburse unpaid rents for this period. However, these tenants now have the obligation to settle their unpaid rents, including interest and arrears. This comes as a blow for thousands of families who have experienced a salary cut or have simply become jobless during the COVID-19 crisis. Given the complexity of the situation, there are campaigns by protestant groups for an extension of this rule to prevent families from being left homeless overnight.
USA
In the USA, regulations vary from state to state. Research by The Eviction Lab in collaboration with Princeton University and Columbia Law School shows that some states are better at protecting tenant rights than others. In Connecticut, for example, tenants having a difficult financial situation due to the COVID-19 crisis cannot be evicted until August 1, 2020, at least. Also, landlords cannot ask tenants to vacate due to non-payment of rent until August 22. In Los Angeles, organisations are requesting the freeze of rents until the situation returns to normal. According to an ordinance promulgated in March 2020, tenants who lost their source of income during the health crisis have 12 months to reimburse their unpaid rents. In New York, regulations also apply to tenants who are entitled to unemployment insurance. However, eviction requests due to unpaid rent will be accepted from July 24 2020.
Australia
As in the United States, regulations in Australia also vary from state to state. In New South Wales, for example, landlords are not allowed to evict tenants who have seen their income reduce by at least 25%. In Victoria, on the other hand, temporary laws are a bit more reassuring. Tenants are advised to negotiate a reduction of their rent with their landlords if they are in financial difficulty. Also, tenants cannot be evicted due to unpaid rent for a 6 months period as from March 29, 2020. It's also worth noting that landlords are not allowed to increase rents during this period. These regulations apply to tenants and sub-tenants, including those living in residential property, in shared accommodation and in social housing.
United Kingdom
The UK has also implemented tenant protection regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the government strongly recommends that landlords avoid evicting their tenants unless they have a very good reason to do so and that they find an agreement on the reduction of rents until things get better. While it remains compulsory to pay rents during the crisis, many facilities are available for tenants. Tenants who are in financial difficulty due to the health crisis can seek advice from specialists such as Citizen Advice and The Money Advice Service or seek help from local authorities. The British government has also set up a £ 500 million fund to help households that are unable to pay their rents. For those with a salary cut and those who have found themselves in difficulty after changing jobs, Universal Credit is another option.
Canada
In Canada, Montreal is currently experiencing its worst housing crisis in 15 years, especially with the moving season starting on July 1st in Quebec. Due to the crisis, thousands of families haven't yet been able to find accommodation. Besides, there has been a 30% increase in rents compared to the average, according to the local media. However, the government of Quebec has set up a $ 71.5 million fund to help its citizens find a place to stay. Other measures include a rent supplement program, as well as an interest-free loan and a financial support plan for families waiting for a residence. Since April, tenants who have experienced a salary cut as a result of the COVID-19 crisis are eligible for an interest-free loan $ 1,500 offered by the Société d'Habitation du Québec. Repayment of this loan is possible until August 1st, 2021.
