Whakatāne District Council is reminding its leaseholders and tenants who were affected by the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown of the rent relief options still available to them.

The Council will offer rent reductions of up to 50% to those leaseholders and tenants who were unable to access their premises during the lockdown, which lasted from 18 August to 7 September 2021.

To access the relief, the leaseholders and tenants must apply to the Council by completing an application form and make a commitment to pass on the reduction to sub-tenants, where applicable.

The deadline for applications has been extended until April 30, 2022. 

General Manager Strategy and Transformation Steven Perdia says the rent relief package acknowledges the extent to which COVID-19 restrictions have affected the district’s business communities and their ability to operate.

"We know COVID-19 has been relentless for the business community," he says. 

"As a responsible landlord, it's important that Council supports its leaseholders and tenants - many of whom provide employment and services to communities across the district."

Council elected members agreed following both the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 lockdown periods to offer the rent relief to leaseholders. 

Mr Perdia says the 50% figure “strikes a balance between Council helping its communities while being prudent with ratepayers' money.”

The Council has put aside $58,200 from the Harbour Fund for the rent relief package, which builds on other support measures for the district's communities such as the extensive Economic Response to COVID-19 Plan announced in May last year.

A rent relief application form is available on Council's website (www.whakatane.govt.nz/residents/covid-19/covid-19-leaseholder-rent-relief), and leaseholders will be reminded of this opportunity with a printed copy being posted to leaseholders.