The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath is calling on the Victorian Government to deliver land tax credits for property owners who provide rent relief to tenants affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
Ms Bath said landlords who do the right thing and lower the rent for both commercial and residential tenants affected by COVID-19 should have that amount credited to their land tax.
“The forced closure of small businesses due to the necessary decisions made by the National Cabinet has left thousands of workers out of a job and no longer able to pay their residential rent,” Ms Bath said.
“Many renters are going through and incredibly difficult and uncertain time, which is why I am calling on the government to deliver land tax credits for property owners who provide rent relief to tenants impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
“Where a landlord offers rent relief, it’s only fair that there should be a land tax relief as well.”
Ms Bath said land tax relief should apply to those currently on the list of businesses forced to close by the National Cabinet in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak or those residential tenants who are without a job because of closures.
“Encouraging property owners to provide rent relief to those businesses by giving them credits on their land tax is an important way the Victorian Government can provide support to small business and give them practical assistance during challenging times,” Ms Bath said.
“Land tax relief could be delivered in the way of credit against a property owner’s land tax bill and apply on a dollar credit for every dollar of rent relief provided.
“The impacts of this pandemic are quite immense and putting many people and businesses under stress. If tenants and landlords are playing their part, so should the Victorian Government.”
