Eviction ban extension ‘a huge relief for tenants’

A ban on landlords evicting firms for unpaid commercial rent has been extended for another nine months, the government has announced.

The ruling, which stops landlords taking tenants to court for non-payment, was due to end on 30 June.

An extension was announced by Treasury Secretary Stephen Barclay, who said the delay in easing lockdown restrictions presented additional challenges to business.

Raj Kandola (pictured), head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The extension of the current scheme will come as a huge relief to commercial tenants up and down the country that have been knocked sideways by the pandemic and have faced crippling overheads.

“We are also pleased to see the Government is committed to striking a balance between protecting landlords and supporting those businesses that need the most help – something that we’ve called for as part of our Keep Business Moving campaign for a number of months.

“Nevertheless, as early analysis from our latest Quarterly Business Report shows, firms are still facing major issues related to cash flow and many are under pressure to raise the price of their goods and services.

“Landlords are of course businesses too and have also faced many challenges during this period. This is an issue that can’t be pushed down the road forever, innovative approaches to helping businesses clear Covid debts and reach mutually agreeable positions with their landlords and creditors will need to be found.

“We are calling on the Government to look at what else can be done to help impacted businesses reduce their overheads and give them the breathing space they need to get through what we hope will be the final few months of this awful crisis.”

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