The Victorian Government recently released the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2021 to provide rent relief assistance to eligible commercial tenants from 28 July 2021 to 15 January 2022. To qualify for rent relief, tenants must satisfy key criteria set out in the Regulations and should act promptly in subitting a compliant request for rent relief to their landlord. This Article provides a detailed summary of the new Regulations.

On 29 September 2020, the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2020 were released by the Victorian Government (Amending Regulations). These Amending Regulations make significant changes to laws relating to rent relief for commercial tenancies in Victoria. Tenants wanting rent relief for the period 29 September to 31 December will need to promptly make a written application (accompanied with the information required by Regulations 10(2)), as rent relief will only apply from the date the tenant submits a compliant request for rent relief. Following is an outline of the key matters addressed in the Amending Regulations.

There are some important changes to the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic) which both landlords and tenants should be aware. The amendments relate to issues such as costs in respect of essential safety measures, return of security deposits and obligations on renewal of lease, including the right to have a rent review determined early. This Article explores some of the changes.

The Victorian Parliament recently passed The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act (Vic) 2020 to give effect to the National Cabinet’s Mandatory Code of Conduct for Commercial Tenancies. The Covid-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Regulations (Vic) 2020 released on 1 May 2020, provide commercial landlords and tenants some clarity about the rent relief measures which will apply to eligible leases during the COVID-19 period. Following is an outline of the key matters addressed in the Act and the Regulations.