Support measures for Canberra renters facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak have been extended for a further three months.
Tenants who were in debt for rental payments due to the economic impact of the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns will now have until April 30, 2021 to repay any outstanding debt.
The deadline for the payments to be made was set to run out at the end of January.
Landlords will not be able to evict tenants in arrears during the three-month extension.
However, renters will still have to pay their regular rent during the transition period.
ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said the extension would help provide assurance for tenants moving into the new year.
"This has been a challenging year for Canberra renters who are struggling to make ends meet," Mr Rattenbury said.
"This announcement will give tenants and landlords greater certainty this Christmas and ensure tenants will be given more time and support to stay in their homes."
Under the initial wave of pandemic support measures, a six-month moratorium on evictions was put in place, which expired in October.
Since then, the government has instituted a transition period for renters to repay money that was owed as rent.
Landlords have also been offered rebates for reducing rent by at least 25 per cent for tenants affected by COVID-19.
Under the transition measures, tenants in fixed-term leases have also been able to end their lease early without penalty, should they need to move.
