Disclosure statements

What is a disclosure statement?

A disclosure statement is a document that a landlord must give the tenant when entering into or renewing a lease. It outlines essential lease information so the tenant can understand, at a glance, the key elements of the lease.

It can include:

• the term or duration of the lease
• whether there are options for further terms
• the occupancy costs for leasing the premises (including rent and any outgoings)
• specific information for shopping centre leases
• the tenant’s fit-out requirements
• if there are any relocation or demolition clauses.

A landlord must give the tenant a disclosure statement and copy of the proposed lease no later than 14 days before the lease is entered into. If changes are made to the copy of the proposed lease that had been given to the tenant, the landlord must notify the tenant of these changes when giving them the updated lease no later than 14 days before the lease is entered into.

If the landlord gives the disclosure statement and proposed lease less than 14 days before the lease entry date, the lease will start 14 days after the disclosure statement and proposed lease are given to the tenant.

For a lease renewal where a tenant has exercised or is entitled to exercise an option or the landlord and tenant have agreed on the lease renewal, the landlord must give the tenant a disclosure statement no later than 21 days before the end of the lease. The disclosure statement must set out any changes to the previous disclosure statement given to the tenant.

Types of disclosure statements

There are four types of disclosure statements that are used, depending on the circumstances. These disclosure statements can be found in the Retail Leases Regulations 2023. To access the individual disclosure statement schedule, click on the relevant link below.

Make sure you use the disclosure statement form that is most relevant to your situation.

• Schedule 1: Non-shopping centre retail premises
• Schedule 2: Shopping centre retail premises
• Schedule 3: Renewal of a lease
• Schedule 4: Assignment of a lease with an ongoing business

If a disclosure statement is misleading, false or incomplete, the tenant can take action that may result in the termination of a lease.

Timings

Depending on the type of retail lease, different sections in the Retail Leases Act 2003 state that a landlord must adhere to the following timings:

• Signing a new lease: a landlord must provide a disclosure statement to the tenant at least 14 days before the signing of a new lease.
• Exercising an option: if a tenant exercises an option to renew a lease or has the right to do so, the landlord must provide a copy of the schedule 3 disclosure statement to the tenant at least 21 days before the end of the current term of the lease.
• Agreement to renew a lease: if the landlord and tenant agree to renew the lease, the landlord must provide a copy of the schedule 3 disclosure statement to the tenant within 14 days of the parties having agreed to renew the lease.

More information

Access the Victorian Small Business Commission’s guidance on:

• providing the proposed tenant with a disclosure statement and other information
• disclosure statements containing estimates of outgoings (section 17).

For more information, you can speak with a member of our team by calling 1800 878 964 or emailing us.

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