Leasing Update During COVID-19 Crisis

Commercial Tenancy: 06 May 2020

The following information may be of interest to you as I know that your business has been significantly affected by the Corona virus. If you would like some advice or assistance in relation to the Covid regulations do not hesitate to contact me or Sarah.

The Covid-19 Omnibus (Emergence Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Regulations 2020 (REGS) are now in force.

These REGS provide the legal framework for Landlords and Tenants to negotiate their lease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your lease is an eligible lease, a tenant must do certain things to trigger rent relief. The Landlord is only compelled to make an offer for rent relief if the trigger is pulled.

Aitken Partners are experts and principal, Sarah Ward is one of the few commercial tenancy specialists accredited with the Law Institute of Victoria.

If you are a Tenant, for a fixed fee Sarah will guide you through the process of making a claim for rent relief and lodge your application with the Landlord.

If you are a Landlord, for the same fee, Sarah will guide your response to the Tenant's request.

If the outcome is unsatisfactory, Aitken Partners will then be available to apply to the Small Business Commissioner for mediation of the lease negotiations on your behalf, including appearing for you to prosecute the claim/response.