Business evictions ban extended until March  

Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced this week.

Mr Jenrick noted that while the majority of commercial landlords have shown flexibility, understanding and commitment to protect businesses during an exceptionally challenging time, this final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants three months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent.

The government has, however, reiterated that businesses that can pay any or all of their rent should do so.

"I am extending protections from the threat of eviction for businesses unable to pay their rent until March 2021, taking the length of these measures to one year. This will help them recover from the impact of the pandemic and plan for the future," Mr Jenrick said. 

"This support is for the businesses struggling the most during the pandemic, such as those in hospitality – however, those that are able to pay their rent should do so."

Alongside this, Mr Jenrick has also announced a review of the outdated commercial landlord and tenant legislation, to address concerns that the current framework does not reflect the current economic conditions. 

This review will consider how to enable better collaboration between commercial landlords and tenants and also how to improve the leasing process.

Further guidance to support tenants and landlords to continue to work together to agree rent payment options where businesses are struggling is expected to be published shortly.

The government will also extend insolvency measures on restricting statutory demands and winding up petitions until the end of March.

The restriction on landlords using Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) to recover unpaid rent will also automatically extend to the end of March, in line with the moratorium’s expiry date. This allows businesses sufficient breathing space to pay rent owed.