Rent relief looms in sight for businesses set back by pandemic

COMMERCIAL businesses threatened with eviction have received a stay of execution as the State Government puts new coronavirus measures in place.

This will mean businesses cannot be evicted if rent goes unpaid, rent must be reduced in proportion to their lost turnover, they may not have their rent increased, must not be penalised for changing trading hours and landlords cannot make a claim on a bank guarantee or security deposit for unpaid rent.

Last week, Townsville’s Banjo Patterson Motor Inn pleaded with the State Government to put the measures in place before the business was evicted for unpaid rent.

Enforcing this will fall under the powers of a new Small Business Commissioner, Maree Adshed.

“My job will be to assist businesses who are navigating … accessing rent relief and of course I will continue to advocate for small businesses and give them a voice at table,” Ms Adshed said.

“We’ve worked to create online guidance materials and information for small business tenants and landlords, so I encourage anyone seeking assistance to check that out. We have also created a general dispute resolution resource finder to help with the national broader small business issues.”

The change will bring Queensland in line with every other state in the implementation of the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct – SME Leasing Principles.

Federal Herbert MP Phil Thompson said this was a big win for Townsville, and Queensland, businesses.