Victorian Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Extended to March 15, 2022

Minister Pulford has announced on Saturday that the Victorian Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (CTRS) which was to cease on 15 January 2022 will be extended until 15 March 2022.  

There will be some changes to the scheme and its operation will be retrospective commencing Sunday 16 January 2022.  

Small Business Victoria will work with stakeholders to develop the regulations to support this announcement as they did with the previous versions. It is expected that the new regulations will be in place in a couple of weeks.

Some key features of the extended scheme to note:

• The eligible turnover threshold has been reduced to $10M or less per annum

• It will be retrospective, commencing on 16 January 2022 and continuing until 15 March 2022

The policy intent of this is that for tenants who are entitled to and accessing rent relief under the current CTRS regulations, and who remain eligible under the new CTRS regulations, there will be no gap in coverage of the scheme between when the current regulations end and the new regulations are in place.  The practical impact of this would be that their entitlement to rent relief continues unbroken and the eviction and rent increase prohibitions remain in place.

• We will continue to provide information and free dispute resolution to tenants and landlords

Once the regulations are developed the Victorian Small Business Commission will update the FAQs and supporting website content.

They have also commenced reviewing the existing website content to make amendments to the current language which refers to 15th of January as the end of the scheme.

As a holding measure, a banner has been placed on the VSBC website noting the announcement of the scheme’s extension for some current participants. They will work closely with SBV and stakeholders to develop the new FAQs and content.  

KEY POINTS

• Landlords will not be able to lock out or evict tenants without undertaking mediation through the VSBC

• Eligible commercial landlords will continue to be eligible to access the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund

If you are having difficulties with paying your lease and communications with the landlord are breaking down please visit the VSBC website for further information.

Link to the latest version of the CTRS Regulations as of August 2021 (Yet to be amended as indicated above)