On 23rd April the Business Secretary Alok Sharma set out measures aimed to protect high street shops and other companies against aggressive rent collection.
The use of statutory demands made between 1st March 2020 and 30th June 2020 and winding up petitions presented from 27th April 2020 and 30th June 2020 will be banned where a company is unable to pay its bills due to coronavirus. Further measures have also been introduced prevented landlords from using Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) unless they are owed 90 days of unpaid rent.
The measures are aimed to protect companies from falling into deeper financial strain.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:
“I know that like all businesses they (Landlords) are under pressure, but I would urge them to show forbearance to their tenants. I am also taking steps to ensure the minority of landlords using aggressive tactics to collect their rents can no longer do so while the COVID-19 emergency continues.”
