More headaches for Victorian landlords with passage of Retail Leases Amendment Bill 2019

25 Sep 2020

Proposed amendments to the Retail Leases Act 2003 introduced into Victorian State Parliament late last year have now been passed, along with legislation extending the COVID-19 provisions for rent relief and other assistance to commercial tenants.

The provisions in the Retail Leases Amendment Bill 2019 dealing with essential services measures came into effect on 23 September 2020. The balance of the Act will come into operation on the earlier of the date of proclamation and 1 October 2020.

In anticipation of these new provisions coming into operation, landlords need to urgently review their administrative processes to ensure that all appropriate processes are followed when leases are entered into or options are available for exercise. Those processes include:

preparing appropriate precedent option notices;
ensuring careful diarising of the relevant dates for notice by itself and the tenant; and
updating precedent leases to allow for recovery of costs associated with essential safety measures.

Related Insights

Victorian landlords will need to review administration processes, if changes to the Retail Leases Act are passed

Get in touch

Andrew Norman

Consultant • Melbourne

Partner • Melbourne

Consultant • Melbourne

+61 3 9286 6921

[email protected]

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_{Clayton Utz communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this communication. Persons listed may not be admitted in all States and Territories.}