Working together to provide rental relief for macedon ranges households and businesses

The Victorian Government is supporting tenants and landlords across the Macedon Ranges through the coronavirus pandemic, after residential and commercial tenancy laws were reformed in parliament last month.

The $500 million package aims to give certainty to residential and commercial tenants and landlords, while they struggle with the unprecedented economic disruption caused by the COVID-19.

These changes include introducing a temporary ban on evictions, pausing rental increases for six months, and providing land tax relief for landlords and rent relief for tenants experiencing financial hardship.

The Stage 3 restrictions designed to help slow the spread of coronavirus have had widespread economic consequences, leaving many businesses with no cashflow to pay their rent, and many workers without jobs – making it increasingly difficult for them to pay rent at home.

To ensure that we can make it through to the other side of this crisis, partnerships will have to be formed between tenants and landlords, and landlords and their banks – to help people continue to pay the rent and keep a roof over their heads.

Tenants and landlords who struggle to strike a deal over rent reductions will be given access to a fast-tracked dispute resolution service, with Consumer Affairs Victoria or the Victorian Small Business Commission mediating to ensure fair agreements are reached.

To encourage landlords to do the right thing by their tenants, the Government will provide $420 million in land tax relief. If a landlord provides tenants impacted by coronavirus with rent relief, they will be eligible for a 25 per cent discount on their land tax, while any remaining land tax can be deferred until March 2021.

Tenants and landlords can find out more at consumer.vic.gov.au.

The Andrews Government has also introduced a commercial tenancy relief scheme to alleviate financial hardship faced by commercial tenants and landlords as a result of COVID-19.

Commercial tenants and landlords requiring advice or help in resolving their rental disputes can access the VSBC’s free mediation service by calling 13 87 22.

For more information about the tenancy relief scheme, go to vsbc.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"A number of people in our community have reached out to me about struggling to meet their rental commitments, and I want to assure everyone that we’ll help tenants across the Macedon Ranges keep a roof over their heads."

"It’s vital that tenants and landlords – both commercial and residential – communicate as early as possible to try to reach an agreement. If this fails, the government is here to assist."