Rent Relief Extended For Small Businesses

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has welcomed the announcement that local small businesses continuing to face challenges due to COVID-19 will benefit from an additional two months of rent relief, with the NSW Government extending its rent relief regulation until 13th March 2022.

Mr Ward said that this extension will provide much-needed support for small commercial and retail tenants to keep their doors open over the coming weeks and months.

“Small business is the engine room of our economy and we need to make sure we support impacted businesses doing it tough,” he said.

“With staff shortages and reduced foot traffic, many businesses are struggling at the moment but the ability to negotiate rent will give them a buffer so they can keep the lights on.

“We appreciate and acknowledge the constructive approach of commercial owners in working together with their tenants in these very challenging circumstances.

“Eligibility for rent relief will remain unchanged,” Mr Ward said.

“Commercial and retail tenants will be eligible for the rent relief if they have an annual turnover of less than $5 million and continue to meet the eligibility criteria for JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant, had those programs continued.

“Landlords of tenants that have received protections for any period under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2022 are prohibited from evicting their tenants for certain breaches of the lease, without first attending mediation.

“NSW landowners will also have more time now to apply for land tax relief, with applications extended until 28th February for eligible commercial and residential landowners.

“Eligible landlords can access the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund, which provides small commercial or retail landlords with a monthly grant up to the value of any rental relief provided, to a maximum of $3,000 per month per property,” Mr Ward concluded.

To find out more about land tax relief, please visit:

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-land-tax-relief.

To find out more about the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/commercial-landlord-hardship-fund-guidelines.

For more on the rent relief extension, please visit:

Commercial leases and COVID-19 FAQs | Small Business Commissioner (nsw.gov.au).