The Green Party has proposed a new commercial leasing policy, which would change rent rules for small businesses in central city locations. 

Under the proposal, market rent reviews could 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 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,” said Green Party Christchurch Central candidate Kahu Carter.

“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.”

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

“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,” added Carter.