Support continues after the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme

Even though Victoria’s Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (the Scheme) has ended, tenants and landlords still have access to the Victorian Small Business Commission’s (VSBC) support.

Tenants are no longer entitled to rent relief, though tenants and landlords still have the option of talking with each other about their situation. They can choose to negotiate fairly and try to agree on relief going forward.

Where they can’t agree, either the tenant or landlord can apply to us for impartial help to resolve the matter.

Help includes assistance early on – often just over the phone. Where the matter can’t be sorted this way, we can arrange a mediation session. This is where an experienced and independent professional – the mediator – helps the tenant and landlord to reach a fair outcome that they can both accept.

As well as helping to resolve new disputes, we’re also here to help with matters that happened during the Scheme.

If a tenant made a rent relief request to their landlord on or before 15 March 2022 that met the Scheme’s requirements, either the tenant or landlord can still come to us for help to resolve their dispute under the Scheme.

For more information, see our:

• tenant and landlord web page
• FAQs
• recommended process that includes:
  • guidance for tenants who are having trouble paying their rent
  • guidance for landlords on responding to a rent relief request
  • tips for negotiating fairly and documenting an agreement
• scenario showing how we can help.

If you have any questions, contact us.