10. Vacating a tenancy
The procedures, responsibilities and obligations involved in vacating government office space are set out in the following sections of the Office Accommodation Management Framework (OAMF):
- A general overview is included in the Cabinet approved Policy and guidelines for the use of owned and private-sector leased government office accommodation .
- A detailed description is included in the Occupancy agreement for government accommodation between the Department of Energy and Public Works and agencies . (Occupancy Agreement)
- The processes involved in changing tenancy areas, including reducing or vacating a tenancy, are described in the OAMF Guideline 2: Space.
10.1 Overview
Agencies are required to give EPW advance notice of their intention to vacate space to allow EPW the best opportunity to find a backfill occupant. Finding a timely backfill means that any ongoing rent for the vacating agency is minimised, while the utilisation of government buildings is maximised. The preferred minimum periods of notice depend upon the size of the tenancy as follows:
- For tenancies less than 1000m2 - a minimum of 6 months
- For tenancies greater than 1000m2 - a minimum of 12 months.
Note that the occupant’s rent obligation does not necessarily cease at the end of the notice period. The Occupancy Agreement sets out how the Queensland Government Accommodation Office (QGAO) determines the period for ongoing rent obligation.
Notice of an agency’s intention to vacate is provided by completing the notice of proposal to reduce or vacate office accommodation form .