Tenants in Canberra have sought advice in droves since the coronavirus outbreak.
Canberra's new legal tenancy advice service said it had been "flat out" with calls over the past month.
This came as Legal Aid ACT started a new service at the beginning of the March.
Prior to taking over the tender, Legal Aid ACT said it had provided some legal advice to tenants but there was an "exponential" increase due to both taking over the service and in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to figures provided, in the three months to March 31 the tenancy helpline had an increase of 169 per cent on the previous quarter.
"The issues for tenants have continued and been exacerbated in the current situation because what's gone hand-in-hand with an increase in tenancy has been advice around employment," Legal Aid ACT chief executive John Boersig said.
"They have been the two particular boom of service areas we have had to meet over the last month and we've had to put additional resources into the helpline, into general practice so we could meet that demand."
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Legal Aid ACT was named the territory government's preferred service provider to deliver a publicly-funded service last year following a controversial tender. It took over from Tenants' Union ACT, which had delivered the service for 24 years.
Tenants' Union ACT, which is now a volunteer organisation, has also continued to receive inquiries.
The organisation currently has no website or phone number but it has received at least a couple of requests each day on Facebook and via email.
It expected an increase once its new website was up.
Renters have reported being left confused as to how to approach asking for rent relief as a code of conduct or mediation process has yet to be agreed upon by the national cabinet in regards to residential tenancies.
It came as last week ACT government announced last week it would offer tax relief to landlords who reduced their tenants' rent by more than 25 per cent.
Tenants have been told to start discussions with their landlords or agents.
It is not only tenants that have sought advice, Mr Boersig said across all areas calls had increased. Legal Aid ACT has a general helpline, as well as a hotline for older people and for youth law.
In the three months to March 31, more than 5500 calls were made to the organisation - an an increase of 18 per cent on the previous quarter.
Legal Aid ACT planned to extend its hours to meet the demand, Mr Boersig said.
"We put to the government in terms of accessibility we needed to be open more at night and hopefully we're just seeing what's happening with that," he said.
"There was an announcement that there would be some funding, we are just seeing what that is and as soon as that is happening we'll be opening at least Monday to Thursday until 8pm every night."
The service has also moved to video and phone conferencing during the pandemic.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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