Small businesses in the Highlands and Tablelands have the opportunity to access additional rent relief with the extension of a state government incentive to March 13.
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Treasurer Matt Kean this extension would support small commercial and retail tenants across NSW to help keep their doors open.
"Small business is the engine room of our economy and we need to make sure we support impacted businesses through this latest Omicron wave," he said.
"With staff shortages and reduced foot traffic, many businesses are struggling at the moment but the ability to negotiate rent will give them a buffer so they can keep the lights on now and recover more quickly."
Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said eligibility criteria for rent relief would remain the same.
"We know that rent is one of the biggest fixed costs for small businesses and this measure will provide crucial support helping them get through the next couple of months," she said.
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Commercial and retail tenants are eligible if they make under $5 million per year and continue to meet the eligibility criteria for JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant, had the incentives continued.
Landlords of tenants that have received protections for any period under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2022 are prohibited from evicting tenants for certain breaches of the lease, without first attending mediation.
Eligible commercial and residential landowners will have until February 28 to apply.
Eligible landlords can access the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund, which provides small commercial or retail landlords with a monthly grant up to the value of any rental relief provided, to a maximum of $3,000 per month per property.
Residents can learn more about tax relief by visiting https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-land-tax-relief.
Small businesses can learn more about the extension of rent relief by visiting Commercial leases and COVID-19 FAQs | Small Business Commissioner (nsw.gov.au).
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