Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on 9 December 2020.
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 is clear that where businesses can pay any or all of their rent, they should do so. Further guidance to support negotiations between landlords and tenants will “be published shortly”.
The move aims to support businesses worst affected by the pandemic, such as bars and restaurants, helping them to rebuild over the winter period.
Alongside this, Mr Jenrick has also announced a review of commercial landlord and tenant legislation, to “address concerns that the current framework does not reflect the current economic conditions”.