Liberal Nationals call for land tax relief to support tenants and property owners

The Liberal Nationals call on the Victorian Government to deliver land tax credits for property owners who provide rent relief to tenants affected by COVID-19 restrictions.

Landlords who do the right thing and lower the rent for commercial tenants who have had to shut their doors or residential tenants who have lost their jobs should have that amount credited to their land tax.

Many small businesses have been forced to close because of necessary decisions by the National Cabinet. We have also seen thousands of workers lose their jobs from many industries and from businesses, large and small, who now cannot pay their residential rent. Landlords should be encouraged to do the right thing by those tenants and provide rent relief.

This would apply to those currently on the list of businesses forced to close by the National Cabinet in response to the COVID-19 outbreak or those residential tenants who are without a job because of closures.

The land tax relief would be in the way of credits against a property owner’s land tax bill and apply on a dollar credit for every dollar of rent relief provided.

Comments attributable to Leader of the Opposition, Michael O’Brien:

“We know that many renters are doing it tough right now. Where a landlord offers rent relief, it’s only fair that there should be land tax relief as well.

“We are all in this together. If tenants and landlords are playing their part, so should the Victorian Government.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer, Louise Staley:

“Many businesses have been forced to shut down due to the National Cabinet’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Encouraging property owners to provide rent relief to those small businesses by giving them credits on their land tax is one important way the Victorian Government can provide support to small business so that they can make it through these hard times.”

Please download this press release as a PDF