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The NSW government says it is the last time it will be extending the support offered to owner-occupiers and tenants of the building.
According to an update from NSW Fair Trading, rental supports will now run through to 30 June 2022, with no further extensions beyond that date.
While assistance is available to both tenants and owner-occupiers residing at Mascot Towers, assistance is only available for the period a unit is unsafe for occupation, with residents needing to prove their apartment is the place they live.
Accommodation cost assistance will be provided at a rate dependent on the size of the Mascot Towers apartment occupied.
For a one-bedroom apartment, costs will be capped at $220 per night; for two-bedroom apartments, costs will be capped at $300 per night; and for three-bedroom apartments, costs will be capped at $400 per night.
Owner-occupiers are able to obtain upfront assistance on the basis that the support would be repaid if later compensation from insurance or some other means is received.
For tenants, assistance will be offered for the cost of alternative accommodation if they are continuing to pay normal rent.
Those who have received rent relief from the landlord will see that amount deducted from the nightly package.
According to Fair Trading FAQs, in the case that a tenant’s rent for Mascot Towers was reduced or waived, the amount that can be claimed for alternative accommodation will be reduced by an equivalent amount.
In the example given, it was explained: “For example, if your rent is $550 per week and has been waived in full and, your alternate accommodation costs are $750 for the week, you will receive $200 in assistance.”
Affected residents will need to register online to receive a claim form from NSW Fair Trading.
Accommodation costs must be incurred prior to the support package being claimed.
The situation facing residents of Mascot Towers has long been a discussion point as for the need for stronger building standards in NSW.
Issues with the building – and the problems it created – was one of the motivators that led to the development of a new building industry ratings system, which forms part of the scope of the work of the NSW building commissioner, as first announced by the Premier back in 2019.
More recently, the NSW building commissioner delivered a prohibition order against a 22-storey Parramatta residential apartment complex, which forbade the developer to issue an occupation certificate and register a strata plan, until the conditions of the order were complied with.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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