Consumer Affairs Victoria has put up an information page in response to the COVID-19 crisis that gives information about, among other things, residential tenancies, inspection and auctions and owners corporations. The website is available here: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/resources-and-tools/advice-in-a-disaster/coronavirus-covid19-and-your-rights?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Important+message+from+CAV+about+Coronavirus+%28COVID-19%29&utm_content=consumer.vic.gov.au%2Fresources-and-tools%2Fadvice-in-a-disaster%2Fcoronavirus-covid19-and-your-rights&utm_source=submit.consumer.vic.gov.au Thanks to my colleague Bill Stark for sending this to me.

The ABC have posted an article foreshadowing the Federal Government’s package to help the country through the COVID-19 crisis. The report includes the following that is relevant to landlords and tenants: Banks, lenders and landlords would all be asked to wear some of the pain, waiving all overheads including rents and mortgage repayments for at […]

In the absence of any definitive answers from either the Federal or State Governments my colleague Elizabeth Ruddle continues to trawl the media for news on the retail leasing sector and has sent me the information below. Following on from reports yesterday that Premier Brands will be closing their stores until April and have unilaterally […]

As the Tasmanian Government has been debating its stimulus package, the Property Council has been pushing for relief for landlords in the form of Property Tax reductions or deferrals. https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/property-council-of-australia-calls-for-urgent-utilities-state-and-local-government-relief/ https://www.propertycouncil.com.au/Web/Content/Media_Release/TAS/2020/PROPERTY_COUNCIL_OF_AUSTRALIA_CALLS_FOR_LAND_TAX_RELIEF.aspx This is in line with the Victorian Government stimulus package announced last week which included the ability for commercial tenants in government buildings to […]

The Age has reported that Premier Investments will shut all of its stores until 22 April 2020 and will not be paying rent over the period. Premier Investments brands include Smiggle, Peter Alexander, Jay Jays, Just Jeans and Portmans. For more information, see: https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/retail-carnage-hundreds-of-stores-close-as-30-000-workers-stood-down-20200326-p54e1j.html

The Age has published an article confirming that state governments are working on measures to protect home renters and small business owners whose businesses are closed by measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 here: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/rental-rescue-for-business-tenants-to-be-protected-from-eviction-20200325-p54dvl.html The article says that: The measures would prevent landlords evicting tenants from both residential and commercial leases if those […]

The ABC has reported that the Tasmanian Government is debating a bill that would prevent landlords from terminating leases for non-payment of rent for a period of 120 days, with a possible extension of a further 90 days in exceptional circumstances.  It is intended to protect both residential and commercial tenants. Other measures are proposed, […]

There are not as yet any Bills before the Victorian Parliament regarding rent relief for retail tenancies that we can find. Business Victoria has a helpful page on Coronavirus Business support and identifies the kinds of funds small businesses can access both from Federal and State Governments: https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/illness-and-business-management-plan/coronavirus-business-support In the residential tenancies space, a recent article […]

I have been told that NSW passed legislation last night making changes to their Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) permitting regulations to be made to prohibit termination of leases and prevent enforcement of landlords’ rights.  No regs have been made as yet. This is consistent with the indications given by the Prime Minister a few days ago […]