RENTS NEED COMPROMISE

LANDLORDS and tenants have always had a natural tension.

Some may say that is the art of negotiation. Both sides always need to come to the party with some give and take – and naturally a little bluffing from either side is going to come into play.

Never has there been a more important time for give and take – on both sides – than right now.

As Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said on many occasions as part of his business “hibernation” strategy, all sides – from the tenant, to the landlord, to their backers or partners or banks – need to have a good, old-fashioned conversation about what can be done to get through this to the so-called other side.

Jared Hodge, manager of a large number of commercial and residential tenancies on the Coast, has outlined some tenants are using the coronavirus guidelines that prevent lease terminations to their advantage to avoid rent.

No doubt some landlords are also not coming to the party and showing any leniency. Stories have abounded of some owners encouraging rent payers to withdraw their $10,000 of superannuation now available to access to pay their bills.

As of today there are plenty of reasons for all sides to hold off drastic action.

The state’s virus case numbers are so good that from next weekend some restrictions will be eased. We are on the right track and want as many to emerge on the “other side” – whether it be in business, property or otherwise – as possible.