24ARepayment of rent arrears accrued during period relating to COVID-19

24A Repayment of rent arrears accrued during period relating to COVID-19

[Section 24A Inserted by No. 30 of 2020, s. 6, Applied:17 Nov 2020]

(1)  A tenant who is in arrears of rent payable in respect of residential premises during the emergency period or a subsequent COVID-19 emergency period may apply to the Commissioner for a rent arrears payment order in relation to the arrears of rent.

(2)  An application under subsection (1) is to be in the approved form.

(3)  The Commissioner, as soon as practicable after receiving an application under subsection (1) in relation to premises, is to notify the owner of the premises.

(4)  The Commissioner may make an order (a rent arrears payment order) in relation to a tenant from whom the Commissioner has received an application under subsection (1) , if the Commissioner is satisfied that the tenant –

(a) is in arrears of rent that was payable during the emergency period or a subsequent COVID-19 emergency period; and

(b) has experienced financial hardship as a result of the economic effects of the socially-dislocating disease; and

(c) has the financial capacity to comply with the order.

(5)  A rent arrears payment order is to specify –

(a) the total amount, of rent that is in arrears, to which the order relates; and

(b) a schedule setting out parts of the total amount and the periods within which each such part of the total amount is to be paid; and

(c) any conditions to which the order is subject; and

(d) that, unless an appeal is made under this section, the order takes effect on the day after the end of the 7-day period beginning on the day after the day on which notice of the order was given under subsection (6) .

(6)  The Commissioner, within 3 days of making a rent arrears payment order under subsection (4) in relation to a tenant, is to notify the tenant, and the owner of the premises to which the order relates, of the making of the order.