Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
A new study has revealed the strain the pandemic has put on the relationships between landlords and tenants.
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) found a quarter of tenants were experiencing immediate problems paying rent, and 35% were concerned they would not be able to pay full rent in the next few months.
Despite this, many tenants were apprehensive about requesting rental assistance from their landlords out of concern of future repercussions, like poor references, or property defects not being fixed.
Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.
Lender | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
FEATUREDUNLIMITED REDRAWSSPECIAL OFFER | Smart Booster Home Loan Discounted Variable - 2yr (LVR < 80%)
| ||||||||||||
Smart Booster Home Loan Discounted Variable - 2yr (LVR < 80%)
| |||||||||||||
Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
FEATUREDAN EASY DIGITAL APPLICATION | Neat Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 60%)
| ||||||||||||
Neat Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 60%)
| |||||||||||||
Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
FEATURED100% FULL OFFSET ACCOUNTNO APPLICATION FEE OR ONGOING FEES | Low Rate Home Loan - Prime (Principal and Interest) (Owner Occupied) (LVR < 60%)
| ||||||||||||
Low Rate Home Loan - Prime (Principal and Interest) (Owner Occupied) (LVR < 60%)
| |||||||||||||
Variable | More details | ||||||||||||
NSW/VIC/SA METRO & INNER REGIONAL AREAS$5000 CASHBACK. T&Cs APPLY. | Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest)
| ||||||||||||
Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest)
|

- Fast turnaround times, can meet 30-day settlement
- For purchase and refinance, min 20% deposit
- No ongoing or monthly fees, add offset for 0.10%
Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the Product Provider’s web site. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of May 18, 2022. View disclaimer.
The study found 93% of tenants reported they initiated rental negotiations, with most landlords assuming "no news was good news".
Only half of the tenants who had asked for rent reductions reported the landlord or property owner agent had fully accepted their requests.
The financial hardship tenants were experiencing extended to not being able to pay utility bills on time, going without meals and being unable to heat their homes.
While some landlords also experienced challenges from a loss of rental income, most were able to manage the financial shortfall.
Some landlords were conflicted between trying to show compassion, while also not wanting to fall into financial hardship themselves.
Others questioned whether tenants asking for assistance were in genuine need.
AHURI lead report author Dr David Oswald said as more time was spent at home, issues like property defects and maintenance, and tenant relationships, were being put under more strain.
"The pandemic has amplified many weaknesses - such as affordability, rental security, overcrowding and homelessness - in the Australian housing system; and in particular, exacerbated many existing challenges in the rental sector," Dr Oswald said.
"With moratoriums on evictions, rent increases and mortgage deferrals all coming to an end, the issues uncovered by this research risk rapidly worsening."
See also: Renters vs homeowners COVID-19 struggles compared
Government support critical to rental landscape
The research highlighted the critical role government financial support, primarily through JobSeeker and JobKeeper, was playing in enabling many tenants to pay bills, cover the cost of rent, and remain in their home.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week said JobSeeker would be further extended until the end of March, but at a reduced rate, with JobKeeper set to finish around the same time.
"It was clear from our findings that without this government support, many tenants would be in a significantly worse position, including potentially homeless," Dr Oswald said.
"Both landlords and tenants reported confusion, stress and uncertainty about what would happen when government financial support packages end."
Overall, there was broad agreement government support was well received, although there was acknowledgment it was geared towards the tenants and not landlords.
"Overwhelmingly, landlords thought government action had not adequately considered them," Dr Oswald said.
"Formally including mortgage relief strategies as part of the broader housing and wage relief assistance would provide a more holistic package of support.
"By focusing on improving the success of negotiations in the landlord-tenant relationship, both economic and mental wellbeing could be significantly improved."
What's the solution?
AHURI recommended future policy on supporting the landlord–tenant relationship should consider:
- A protective negotiation framework to structure rent negotiations between tenants and landlords;
- Clear government advice for real estate agents;
- Centralised guidance on tenant hardship, that defines the evidence required for tenants to demonstrate financial hardship;
- A landlord hardship fund;
- Policy flexibility on moving; and
- Improved information and guidance in defining the end of support.
Disclaimers
The entire market was not considered in selecting the above products. Rather, a cut-down portion of the market has been considered. Some providers' products may not be available in all states. To be considered, the product and rate must be clearly published on the product provider's web site. Savings.com.au, yourmortgage.com.au, yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au, and Performance Drive are part of the Savings Media group. In the interests of full disclosure, the Savings Media Group are associated with the Firstmac Group. To read about how Savings Media Group manages potential conflicts of interest, along with how we get paid, please visit the web site links at the bottom of this page.
Latest Articles
- Wages growth hits 2.4%, will the RBA raise the cash rate in June?
- What is shrinkflation?
- AMP Bank combines with Nano to offer fully-digital home loan process
- Which lenders offer 95% LVR home loans?
- New CommBank-supported app Kit aims to help parents and kids break down money 'taboos'
Latest News
Which lenders offer 95% LVR home loans?
May 18, 2022
CommBank launches digital home loan product 'Unloan'
May 17, 2022
Is the First Home Super Saver Scheme worth using?
May 17, 2022
Be Savings smart.
Subscribe for free money newsletters.
to the Savings Privacy Policy