Leasing and licencing

A lease is an agreement in which the landlord (Council) agrees to give a tenant the exclusive right to occupy Council land/building for a fixed term, subject to the lease terms and conditions. A lease conveys an interest in the land. Usually a lease is used where Council property is occupied fully for a specified sport or purpose, e.g. tennis courts, childcare centre.

A licence is an agreement in which the Licensor (Council) gives permission to the licensee to carry out a permitted activity on Council property without the right to exclusive occupation. A licensee may have exclusive occupation during that time they occupy (e.g. every Tuesday between 2-5pm). A licence is used where a Council facility is shared by a number of groups, and more than one licence may be granted over the same property.

A community tenant is a not-for-profit entity who uses the leased or licenced space primarily for community services, cultural, recreational or social engagement, public health and wellbeing services or similar activities or services. Community tenants must meet the community benefit definition included in the Lease and Licence Policy.

If you're a community group looking for a place to meet regularly or a commercial business looking to open a new site, we may be able to help!

Submit a lease/licence enquiry

Council's Lease and License Policy ensures Council property is used to provide the greatest benefit to the community and is consistent with the Council Plan 2025-2029. See a copy of Council's Lease and License Policy here.