The moratorium on the ability of commercial landlords to evict tenants will be extended by 3 months to 31 December 2020 as announced by Queensland’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath.
Under the Retail Shop Lease and Other Commercial Lease (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020, the ‘response period’ ends on 30 September 2020 (see our summary of the Regulation here).
It is not yet clear what the Minister has in mind.
Deferring the end date to 31 December 2020 would have the effect of preventing commercial landlords from taking ‘prescribed action’ (which includes terminating leases or claiming on bank guarantees) for a further 3 months.
It is also unclear whether any other changes to the Regulation are proposed. One possibility is there may be other changes to the type of rent relief that must be offered to tenants under affected leases.
The Property Council has strongly advocated for the Regulation to be amended to remove the requirement for landlords to offer 50% of rent relief in the form of a rent waiver.
About the Author
News & Insights
Overhaul to Queensland’s property laws
Read More
Aaron Webb commemorates long-standing connection at Society of Notaries Queensland 100 years celebration
Read More
Aaron Webb continues Thynne + Macartney tradition as Notary Public
Read More
Thynne + Macartney Finalist for Property Team and Wellness Initiative at the Australian Law Awards three years in a row
Read More