Greens Commercial Rent Reforms Target Empty Shops In Christchurch

The Green Party’s new commercial leasing policy would give Christchurch City Council new tools to deal with long-empty shops and change rent rules for small businesses in the central city.

Green Party Christchurch Central candidate Kahu Carter says the policy is particularly relevant to a city that has spent years working to bring people, businesses and life back into its centre.

“Christchurch has put an enormous amount into rebuilding our central city. We now need to make sure the rules actually help local businesses fill our streets and make a go of it.

“An empty shop helps nobody. It doesn’t help the business that could be operating there, it doesn’t help the people living nearby and it doesn’t help create the lively, connected central city Christchurch deserves.”

Under the Greens’ proposal, market rent reviews would be able to lower commercial rents. The change would apply to new and existing leases for businesses with turnover under $30 million.

The policy would also give councils the power to act when a shop has been empty for more than a year. A landlord would have eight weeks to find a tenant before the council could auction a lease on the property.

A new low-cost tribunal would also be established to resolve commercial leasing disputes.

Christchurch City Council already identifies vacancy as an ongoing challenge for the central city and has introduced measures intended to encourage vacant land back into productive use.

“We have incredible small businesses, artists, hospo operators and entrepreneurs in Christchurch who bring our neighbourhoods to life.

“The point of a city centre isn’t just to have buildings. It’s to have people using them. We want it to be easier for local businesses and creative people to get through the door and turn empty spaces into places our community actually gets to enjoy.”