Plan B #837 Landlords Killing Businesses?
Jan 23, 2026
Join Vernon Lim, a savvy business strategist from the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, as he discusses the pressures facing local businesses. The founders of Deanna's Kitchen, a flourishing halal Chinese eatery, share their gripping journey from hawker stalls to multiple outlets. They explore the impact of skyrocketing rents, the challenges of maintaining prices, and the looming competition from foreign players. The conversation uncovers the dire need for government intervention and emphasizes pragmatic business adaptations to thrive in a tough landscape.
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Capital Gains Drive Landlord Choices
- Landlords optimise for capital gains and valuation, not tenant cash flow, which drives rental spikes and vacancies.
- Vernon Lim explains this incentivises owners to hold properties empty rather than accept lower rents, hurting operators.
Get Organized And Speak To Government
- Organise SMEs and make your pain visible to policymakers through councils and associations.
- Vernon Lim urges businesses to send a collective voice so government can design targeted interventions.
Prioritise Landlord Relationships
- Negotiate rentals and cultivate good landlord relationships to improve survival chances.
- Deanna's Kitchen recommends prompt payment, trust and long-term rapport to ease rent discussions.