Commercial tenants protected from evictions until 2021

Businesses whose incomes have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic have been given assurances by the Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, that no small firm will be evicted before the Christmas period for failure to maintain their rental commitments.

Although the Government maintains that businesses should pay their rent wherever possible, this extension should provide a much-needed safety net for firms to try and breathe new life into their businesses during the autumn and early winter months.

“This Government is committed to supporting businesses and our high streets at this difficult time, and this extension of support will help businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic and plan for the future,” said Mr Jenrick.

The Government has also confirmed the extension of restrictions on landlords triggering the Commercial Rents Arrears Recovery procedure to legally enforce overdue rent on commercial tenants until the start of 2021.

Earlier this summer, the Government published a new Code of Practice, designed to provide a roadmap for collaboration between landlords and tenants while the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

It was developed in close collaboration with several leading business and trade associations, with the aim of shielding viable local businesses struggling through no fault of their own, to foster a swift recovery post-COVID-19.

Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “During this particularly challenging time for businesses, it is crucial that both landlords and tenants have the clarity and reassurance they need to build back better from the pandemic.

“Extending the temporary measures we put in place earlier this year to protect businesses from the threat of eviction will give them some much-needed breathing space at a critical moment in the UK’s economic recovery.”

Date published 18 Sep 2020 | Last updated 7 Oct 2020