Ontario prepares mega-site inventory

Alberta polls commercial landlords and tenants

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

The Alberta government is polling commercial landlords and tenants about their COVID-19-related financial stresses. A newly introduced online survey poses two separate series of questions for building owners/managers and business occupants, asking for details about their current operational status, relief programs they’ve used and kinds of support they may still need.

Government analysts are seeking a more complete picture of the types of businesses experiencing difficulty, the scope of landlords and tenants affected, and their ability, thus far, to tap into assistance programs. “These insights will aid in determining whether additional measures are needed to support businesses struggling to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic,” an Alberta government statement advises.

Landlords are asked to report: the volume of requests for rent deferrals or reductions; the degree to which they’ve granted tenants’ requests; and whether they’ve sought mortgage deferrals or other concessions from their lenders. Business tenants are queried on numbers of employees; COVID-19-related loss of revenue; use of government-sponsored relief programs; and agreements negotiated with their landlords. Both Alberta commercial landlords and tenants who have thus far not applied for assistance programs are also asked to explain why.

“We expect businesses and landlords to work together in a respectful and fair manner during this challenging time,” says Tanya Fir, Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. “We strongly encourage landlords to participate in the CECRA program and to be flexible and understanding of their tenants’ financial circumstances. We are asking businesses to pay their rent as fully and consistently as possible, if they can.”

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