Commercial Rents and COVID-19 Call for Evidence

Throughout the last year many businesses have been forced to close in line with public health restrictions and faced significant periods of disruption to revenue. In response, Government introduced legislation to prevent landlords of commercial properties from being able to evict tenants for not paying rent; to restrict landlords’ abilities to recover rental arrears through the seizure of tenants’ goods; and to restrict the service of statutory demands and winding up petitions. All of these measures are now in place until 30 June 2021. Despite this extension these measures are temporary, and while the Government recognises they cannot – and should not – continue indefinitely, a carefully managed exit is necessary to preserve tenant businesses and the millions of jobs that they support. This call for evidence will support the Government’s decision making on the best way to withdraw or replace these measures while pr