A self-made billionaire, who is one of Australia's biggest private landlords, has defended asking some of his commercial tenants to keep paying rent, saying he should not be made a "scapegoat" for the coronavirus-driven economic crisis if those tenants have been successful.

John Van Lieshout has declined to extend rent relief to all businesses across his $1 billion-plus property portfolio.

Fair enough , he's budgeted to the max , has to pay for paint and doorknobs , why should he go under?

ABC's headline does not reflect it's own article.

Mr Van Lieshout said he was considering requests for rent relief but would not commit until he knew what the Government was doing.

But he said he would help those in distress, depending on their size and length of time trading.

"I've got some tenants that have only started you know, a beauty salon for 12 months," Mr Van Lieshout said.

"Some of those people I'm going to be very kind to because I know that they cannot possibly [pay] because the Government's closed it down completely.

But the thing is, take a tenant that has a good business that's been in business for 10 or 15 years, say he has a holiday home, he drives a nice Mercedes, and he has money in the bank," he said.

"This [the coronavirus pandemic] happens suddenly — I think he has a moral obligation first to use some of his own capital.

"He might be paying $100,000-a-year rent and for three months, a quarter, he has to dip in his pocket for $25,000 of his own money instead of coming to me and saying, 'How about you put up this money for me?'

There are numerous stories of landlords increasing rents of commercial properties whenever there is an increase in their revenues. It wouldn't surprise me if this landlord is one such example.

When you also consider that 60% of businesses fail within the first three years, I also question his claim that "a lot" of his clients are wealthy and driving Mercedes'. So I can't sympathise with him when he's crying poor while he stands in front of his mansion in Indooroopilly. I may be pro capitalist but I'm also anti a#$hole. There's no point s#!tting over your tenants when you factor the circumstances we're in. He's naive to think he can kick out all these non paying tenants and find readily available replacements once the Crisis is over, because more than likely this Crisis is the trigger for the recession that we've been waiting for so long to occur.

He knows he has the upper hand and he just wants to be a d!(k about it to the people who have the most to lose. If he gave his tenants a reprieve, he can go to the bank and be d!(ks to them instead: "Look mate, you have to admit that these are extraordinary circumstances, so hows about refinancing those loans? Otherwise, you can foreclose on the lot and get 20 cents on the dollars, hows that sound?"

It's common sense that even those on the lower end of the IQ spectrum can understand - when a business isn't earning anything, it can't pay for anything, let alone rent.

https://youtu.be/eo_I1D2nmSg

chimera wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 2:06pm:

Fair enough , he's budgeted to the max , has to pay for paint and doorknobs , why should he go under?

Arsehole ???  ;D

But yeah the headline is sensational and half true.  ABC used to be more careful.  Almost f..fa..fak

Gordon wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 2:14pm:

ABC's headline does not reflect it's own article. Mr Van Lieshout said he was considering requests for rent relief but would not commit until he knew what the Government was doing. But he said he would help those in distress, depending on their size and length of time trading. "I've got some tenants that have only started you know, a beauty salon for 12 months," Mr Van Lieshout said. "Some of those people I'm going to be very kind to because I know that they cannot possibly [pay] because the Government's closed it down completely. But the thing is, take a tenant that has a good business that's been in business for 10 or 15 years, say he has a holiday home, he drives a nice Mercedes, and he has money in the bank," he said. "This [the coronavirus pandemic] happens suddenly — I think he has a moral obligation first to use some of his own capital. "He might be paying $100,000-a-year rent and for three months, a quarter, he has to dip in his pocket for $25,000 of his own money instead of coming to me and saying, 'How about you put up this money for me?'

Stop blowing your own trumpet, Gordon. We all know Chez Gordon's should have been condemned years ago.

One can smell the excrement in Granville. The least you could do is install a functioning toilet.

I've a good mind to rent out Chez Karnal's. Close to all amenities, parking, a prayer hall on the corner. You can even play spot-the-Aussie if the neighbours are out.

Gordon wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 2:14pm:

ABC's headline does not reflect it's own article.

You must be reading a different article.

He's standing firm on considering requests for rent relief but will not commit until he knows what the Government is doing.

"Billionaire landlord stands firm on rents".

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 4:48pm:

He's standing firm on considering requests for rent relief but will not commit until he knows what the Government is doing.

The end of the sentence does not match the first bit.

chimera wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 4:57pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 31st, 2020 at 4:48pm: He's standing firm on considering requests for rent relief but will not commit until he knows what the Government is doing. The end of the sentence does not match the first bit.

He's standing firm on considering requests for rent relief, as well as standing firm when saying that he will not commit until he knows what the Government is doing.

The headline is perfect.

It's a perfect headline.

Everyone's saying it.

He sounds FAIR for both him and his Tenants who can NOT pay. He is being fair to himself that those Tenants who 'can afford' to pay - continue to do so. But obviously those who can't  - don't.

This guy sounds like a decent hard working rich guy who 'earned' his money, not fall into it like a Lottery, an Inheritance  and a Crime.

Steal from the evil Rich
and give to the good poor.
Protect the pure Rich
from the bad poor.

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 1:42pm:

A self-made billionaire, who is one of Australia's biggest private landlords, has defended asking some of his commercial tenants to keep paying rent, saying he should not be made a "scapegoat" for the coronavirus-driven economic crisis if those tenants have been successful. John Van Lieshout has declined to extend rent relief to all businesses across his $1 billion-plus property portfolio.

let him have his empty shops and keep paying rates on them.

Sir lastnail wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 5:22pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 31st, 2020 at 1:42pm: A self-made billionaire, who is one of Australia's biggest private landlords, has defended asking some of his commercial tenants to keep paying rent, saying he should not be made a "scapegoat" for the coronavirus-driven economic crisis if those tenants have been successful. John Van Lieshout has declined to extend rent relief to all businesses across his $1 billion-plus property portfolio. let him have his empty shops and keep paying rates on them.

Just because they close, doesn't mean they can't afford to pay the Rent.

Neighbour on the left earns $300,000 a year in Business profit. Neighbour on the right was a two-bit shop with minimal profit to just get by.
The Neighbour on the left can more than pay off 3 years worth of rent - without being open for business and should continue to do so.
The Land Lord must also pay 'bills' and run his 'income'.
Why should he scuttle his business by putting a 'blanket' over every tenant?

This is as bad as Rich people still claiming the Dole.  ::)

Make them all pay Rent. But if he can't 'distinguish' those who 'officially' can't - then off with his head then! He must justify a loss because of the Virus. But it need not be a total loss - thanks to those who can 'AFFORD' to pay Rent.

Some of those people I'm going to be very kind to because I know that they cannot possibly [pay] because the Government's closed it down completely.

He sounds fair.
Unless the economy goes on hold then neither do the bills unfortunately. He has outgoings just like everyone else.

If this billionaire is expected to just fork out then so should the Rothschilds. Those pricks could pay all our bills for 12 months without even a ripple in their net worth.

Captain Caveman wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 6:19pm:

He sounds fair. Unless the economy goes on hold then neither do the bills unfortunately. He has outgoings just like everyone else. If this billionaire is expected to just fork out then so should the Rothschilds. Those pricks could pay all our bills for 12 months without even a ripple in their net worth.

He knows he's going to take a hit, but he's doing his due diligence and waiting to see who can pay amd how much.

This guy would also have a massive payroll.

Gordon wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 6:14pm:

Some of those people I'm going to be very kind to because I know that they cannot possibly [pay] because the Government's closed it down completely.

Don't come the raw prawn with us, Gordon. You came to this country so you could import all this cheap labour muck and make a fast buck.

You know very well how profitable these people are. They sht on the street, don't ask any pesky questions and live off the smell of an oily rag. Any problems and you can send them BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

We know your game. We grew here, YOU FLEW HERE.

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 4:59pm:

He's standing firm when saying that he will not commit until he knows what the Government is doing.

NO that's absolutely wrong or could be a bit , definitely . yeah. He's firm, mostly.

Gordon wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 6:30pm:

Captain Caveman wrote on Mar 31st, 2020 at 6:19pm: He sounds fair. Unless the economy goes on hold then neither do the bills unfortunately. He has outgoings just like everyone else. If this billionaire is expected to just fork out then so should the Rothschilds. Those pricks could pay all our bills for 12 months without even a ripple in their net worth. He knows he's going to take a hit, but he's doing his due diligence and waiting to see who can pay amd how much. This guy would also have a massive payroll.

Yeah, right. We know exactly what you're up to.

It's thanks to your type we're in the state we're in.

WE DON'T WANT THEM HERE.

You?

chimera wrote on Mar 31^st, 2020 at 7:17pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 31st, 2020 at 4:59pm: He's standing firm when saying that he will not commit until he knows what the Government is doing. NO that's absolutely wrong or could be a bit , definitely . yeah. He's firm, mostly.

That's what she said.