COVID-19 | Victorian Commercial Tenancy Relief 3.0 – Victoria introduces extended rent relief for small business

In response to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the Victorian Government has now released the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2022 (Vic) (2022 Regulations) which extends the entitlement to rent relief and related protections for certain small businesses. What has changed? Our previous publication on the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2021 (2021 Regulations) can be found […]

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COVID-19 | Victorian Commercial Tenancy Relief 2.0 – Here we go again!

On 24 August 2021 the Victorian Government released the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2021 (2021 Regulations). Unlike its 2020 predecessor, the 2021 Regulations are complex and include a number of key differences. The brief summary below does not lend itself well to the complexity that will be faced by landlords and tenants alike over the […]

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Further Regulations see the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme extended to 28 March 2021

Just in time for Christmas, the Victorian Government has extended the relevant period under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme from 31 December 2021 until 28 March 2021, the date on which the enabling legislation is also scheduled to expire. The extension occurs via the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Amendment Regulations 2020 […]

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Another win for the Richmond Football Club – The Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal upholds consistency for retail premises leases during the term

In Verraty Pty Ltd v Richmond Football Club Ltd [2020] VSCA 267, the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal confirms that a retail premises lease cannot ‘jump out’ of application of retail legislation during the term. Whether or not the position can change on renewal remains uncertain. The Initial Decision The case finds its origins in […]

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COVID-19 | Commercial tenancy relief measures extended in Victoria

The long awaited COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2020 (Vic) were released last night and will take effect from 29 September 2020. Which tenancies will the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (CTRS) now apply to? The CTRS applies to ‘eligible leases’. The Amending Regulations have altered the definition of ‘eligible […]

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Retail Leases Amendment Act adds more pressure for landlords on top of COVID-19 changes

The Retail Leases Amendment Act 2019 (Vic) (Amendment) was passed by the Victorian Parliament on 15 September 2020. These changes are permanent amendments to the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic) (RLA) and are separate to the recent temporary changes made to Victorian legislation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes to the RLA will likely […]

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COVID-19 | WA Code of Conduct provides guidance on rent relief obligations for WA landlords and tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic

The long awaited Commercial Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Regulations 2020 (WA) have now been released and include a Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct) which gives effect to the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct and sets out a number of principles that landlords and tenants must follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Which tenancies will the […]

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COVID-19 | Update: NSW Government introduces new regulations for retail and commercial leasing

Following the Mandatory Code of Conduct released by the National Cabinet on 7 April 2020 (Code), the New South Wales Government has introduced the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2020 (Regulations). The Regulations introduce temporary measures to provide urgent relief for retail and commercial tenants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]

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COVID-19 | VIC Government introduces new legislation to regulate commercial leasing arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic

Following the Mandatory Code of Conduct released by the National Cabinet on 7 April 2020 (Code), the Victorian Parliament passed the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020 (Vic) (COVID-19 Bill) to introduce a range of temporary measures to provide urgent relief for commercial tenants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It also contains provisions for […]

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COVID-19 | WA Government introduces new legislation to regulate commercial leasing arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic

Following the Mandatory Code of Conduct released by the National Cabinet on 7 April 2020 (National Code of Conduct), the WA Legislative Council passed the Commercial Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Bill 2020 (WA) (COVID-19 Bill) to introduce a range of temporary measures to provide for urgent relief for commercial tenants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

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COVID-19 | Cth Government releases Code of Conduct for Commercial Leasing Arrangements

Following on from our earlier update, the Commonwealth Government has now released the mandatory Code of Conduct (Code) which the National Cabinet have agreed should be implemented by all states and territories in an effort to address the impacts of COVID-19 on commercial tenants (including retail, office and industrial).  This announcement comes after the Government’s […]

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Leasing Insider | Sze Tu v Jam Studios Pty Ltd; Jam Studios Pty Ltd v Sze Tu [2018] NSWSC 868 (12 June 2018)

Margaret Sze Tu, Shiu How Sze Tu, Shiu Shing Sze Tu, Helen Sze Tu (the Landlord) were the registered proprietors and owners of premises known as Shop 5, 42-44 Queen Street, Campbelltown. The dispute between the parties related to an alleged lease to Jam Studios Pty Ltd (the Tenant), who was in possession of the […]

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