Welcome News for Businesses with Lease Agreements

The Victorian Government has announced an extension to the ban on evictions and rental increases until the end of the year. The original scheme was due to end in September, so the news is welcome relief for many small business owners and operators.

The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) continues to provide a commercial tenancies mediation system to help support tenants and landlords to have fair tenancy negotiations. Further details on the process and system can be found at both the Business Victoria and VSBC websites.

In further announcements to support small business, additional measures have been introduced including one that requires commercial landlords to provide rent relief in proportion with the fall in turnover being experienced by eligible tenants going forward. The VSBC will now also have greater capacity to make an order on rent relief if a landlord refuses to respond to rent relief requests.

Residential and commercial tenants and landlords will also be able to take advantage of more support, including further land tax reductions and more grant funding. A fund of $60 million will be available for eligible small commercial landlords via The Commercial Landlord Hardship Scheme, which will provide up to $3,000 per tenancy.

If you would like to discuss your commercial tenancy situation please email the VSBC at enquiries@vsbc.vic.gov.au or call 13 87 22.

Susan Beniston
Visitor Servicing & Development Officer