Retail and Commercial Leases Act 1995

A lessee cannot be required to pay a premium for the renewal or extension of a retail shop lease.

If a lessor or a person acting on behalf of a lessor seeks or accepts a premium for the renewal or extension of a retail shop lease—

the lessor is guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty not exceeding

the lessee may recover the amount of the payment as a debt (whether or not the lessor is convicted of the offence).

This section does not prevent a lessor from—

requiring payment from the lessee of a reasonable sum for legal or other expenses incurred in connection with the renewal or extension of a retail shop lease; or

receiving payment of rent in advance; or

requiring reasonable security from the lessee or another person to secure performance of the lessee's obligations under the renewed or extended lease; or

seeking or accepting payment for the grant of a franchise in connection with the renewal or extension of the lease.