The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has announced additional support for businesses and tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic via the extension of the ban on commercial and residential evictions.
Protections for commercial tenants will now be in place until 30 June 2021 whilst residential tenants will also be supported as the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions will be extended until 31 May 2021 at the earliest.
Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR)
CRAR protections have once again been extended. This measure will increase the number of days’ outstanding rent required for CRAR to 457 days between 25 March and 23 June and 554 days between 24 June and 30 June. This measure will continue to provide protection to commercial tenants with rent arrears accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, while protections from forfeiture for business tenancies are in place under the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Residential tenant protections
In the residential sector, the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions in England has been extended to 31 May 2021. This means eviction notices cannot be served before 1 June 2021. Except in the most serious of circumstances, landlords are required to give six months’ notice before beginning possession proceedings meaning most residential tenants can stay in their homes until 1 December 2021 at the earliest in an attempt to give people time to find alternative accommodation.
If you would like to discuss this further or for specific advice on a commercial or residential matter, please contact Adina-Leigh Collins in our Litigation department.