The State Government has announced $440 million in relief for renters and landlords affected by Government-enforced COVID-19 restrictions.

The package is targeted at keeping people in rentals over the next six months.

The Government has ordered a six-month moratorium on new forced evictions if the tenant is in rental arrears because they are suffering financial hardship due to coronavirus.

It applies to tenants who have lost 25 per cent or more of their income.

Under the scheme, a landlord or managing agent must enter into negotiations with a tenant who is struggling to make rental payments.

Tenants will be protected from eviction until the tribunal is satisfied that negotiations have been finalised.

But they will have to repay the rent eventually, as anything unpaid will accrue as arrears during this period.