The state government of Queensland has pledged over $400m to support commercial and residential landlords and tenants affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The initiative includes up to $400m in land tax relief for eligible landlords, which must be passed on to tenants. Eligible landowners can apply for up to three months waiver and three months deferral of land tax if they fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

  • They are a landowner who leases all or part of a property to one or more tenants and all the following apply:
    • The ability of one or more tenants to pay their normal rent is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • They will provide rent relief to the affected tenants of an amount at least commensurate with the land tax relief.
    • They will comply with the leasing principles even if the relevant lease is not regulated.
  • They are a landowner and all the following apply:
    • All or part of their property is available for lease.
    • Their ability to secure tenants has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • They require relief to meet their financial obligations.
    • They will comply with the leasing principles even if the relevant lease is not regulated.

The Office of the State Revenue will manage the land tax relief applications. 

Also read: NSW unveils rent relief package

Eligible landlords must also commit to comply with a set of principles, which include not evicting their tenants and not charging break-lease fees. More information about this policy can be found here.

Any land tax relief to commercial landlords must be passed onto eligible tenants.

The state government also unveiled a crisis payment of up to $500 a week for up to four weeks for Queenslanders who are homeless, or at imminent risk of becoming homeless and have exhausted these options:

  • They are renting a property currently or will shortly move into a new tenancy;
  • They have lost their job and have applied to Centrelink for the COVID-19 income support;
  • They are waiting for their application with Centrelink to be approved; and
  • They have evidence negotiating a payment approach with their lessor/landlord directly, or via their property manager, as well as evidence of conciliation with the Residential Tenancies Authority but cannot reach agreement