So my girlfriend and I are semi arguing about our rent right now. She's saying that our landlord should give us a reduction in rent by 50% due to the current economic climate caused by the COVID 19 outbreak. While I do agree with her that they should probably offer some sort of reduction I don't feel so strongly about it that we should threaten to leave if they don't give it to us.
We signed our 1.5 year lease in December last year on boxing day. I'm working casually in retail and she was also just working a cash job that is no longer available due to the business shutting down. She says that all her friends have gotten a reduction in rent or even rent free due to the outbreak however i'm very reluctant to believe that this is actually true as I've asked my friends and colleagues and even my parents and none of them are getting a reduction in rent. At this stage i'm lucky enough that i'm still working given that I work in Westfield and we are able to still remain open, I know there are other out there worse off than I am being stood down especially in the retail space where casuals are usually the first to be let go. At this stage I still make enough on the reduced hours to pay for the rent which is $500/week. However she is out of work and feels pressure presumably because she still needs to send money back overseas to her parents etc.
My argument to her is that legally speaking we have no leg to stand on despite the pandemic right now. We signed the lease, we cannot break it and if we do there are still terms and conditions that must be followed. She is of the belief that if we wanted to break our contract now there would be no consequences but I do not believe that at all. Yes the government has announced that we cannot be evicted during this time, however you must still follow the conditions set out by your lease am I correct? she keeps arguing that since everyone she knows has received a reduction in rent (wether this is true I can't confirm and I don't believe so anyway) our landlord should also reduce our rent. But as we all know there isn't a legal obligation that states my landlord must reduce the rent this is a case by case basis and while I have asked my real estate agent they said the landlord were not willing to reduce the rent especially having just lost the tenant next door and having lost his job apparently due to COVID 19.
All in all i'm frustrated in trying to explain to her that there is nothing legally wrong with him not reducing our rent. Morally speaking yes maybe he should offer to help us a little bit but it's not his legal obligation.
UPDATE: 1/4/2020
Really appreciate the responses from everyone. It's good to see how everyone's situation differs in these uncertain times. As of today unfortunately our business has also decided to close until further notice with the further restrictions implemented by the government where by people can only be out for necessities it makes no sense to continue operating a retail store till things get back to normal. Today the news while shocking definitely was something everyone in the business knew was coming we just didn't know when. The feeling of uncertainty as we day each day one at a time really is quite scary not knowing when i'll be able to head back into work. I've applied through mygov already for assistance although honestly i'm not sure what benefits will be available to me if any at all as our business has only been operating since 16 December 2019 which probably means I've no chance to get job keeper. First thing I did when I went home was go on seek and start seeing what jobs were available and right now things look very bleak. I have updated my realestate agency with what has happened and they will do their best to help with negotiating with the landlord however if things don't get better I'm probably looking at moving back in with the folks until this whole thing blows over.
Looking back at the time that I have now makes me realise that I want to be better equipped for when we come out on the other side. I went to uni previously but never enjoyed what I studied and so far to this day I still haven't found what I want to study. Hopefully I can teach myself through some online courses basic coding languages and have a more useable skillset when this is over.
All in all I'm thankful for all the responses from you guys in seeing what situation and different perspectives you guys had. I never agreed with my GF on this issue however if the landlord is willing to help then I'll be grateful for whatever he's willing to give as I've said before I know legally he has every right not to help. I don't intent to stay here for free that's just not right but I have told them that with my $2.5k savings left realistically I may have to move out after next month if we can't come to some sort of arrangement. Assuming I become eligible for any of the government help I'm happy to continue living here and as soon as I can find stable work again I'll be happy to pay the normal rate again.
Thanks for all the responses guys and gals.
Your girlfriend is an idiot, for many reasons. Firstly for not knowing (or caring) about the lease/contract you signed. Secondly for sending money to her folks, despite your joint financial issues.
You clearly have a head for the finances and she doesn't, hence the arguing. This will be the first argument of many. Run, before her inability to work out finances causes you to run into massive debt and for her to walk away fine.
(speaking from experience)