First things First DOCUMENT everything!
If you are applying to access mediation for Rent Relife you will need to show that you have tried to come to an agreement with your (agent/landlord) – CLICK HERE for a suggested letter, initial contact.
Specify time frame (2 weeks), if you have no response, send follow up email, stating you give them 48 hours to respond or you will follow the procedure below.
If you are unable to reach agreement on rent relief with your Landlord or Property manager you can access the Victorian Small Business Commission who are providing a mediation service in this area
Before asking for assistance you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have contacted your Landlord asking for rent relief. The fees normally associated with mediation have been waived for Covid 19
Please see further information from Victorian Small Business Commission below
Communicating early
If you are a commercial tenant or landlord in a situation where the tenant is having trouble paying their rent because of coronavirus (COVID-19), we recommend tenants first read their lease closely to make sure they understand their rights and obligations. If anything is unclear, they should seek legal advice or contact us for help on 13 8722 or at enquiries@vsbc.vic.gov.au.
We encourage tenants and landlords to communicate as early as possible to try to reach an agreement, and if this fails, they can contact us. We can provide advice and help resolve retail leasing disputes through our quick and confidential mediation service.
If you are a tenant or a landlord, it’s also important to know and understand the Retail Leases Act 2003 (RLA). This will help you avoid potential costly and time-consuming disputes.