'We don't know how many time-bombs are ticking': Australia's rent deferral debt trap

Bureaucrats, agents and even tenant advocates say no one knows how many renters are running up debts under Covid-19 regulations

Renters are facing a financial time-bomb in September when state protections against eviction are due to expire and many could be asked to repay deferred rent or begin paying their full rent again.

But no one has a clear idea how big the problem might be or what effect it could have on the economy and the property market.