Covid-19 eviction bans extended

Bans on evictions for both commercial and residential tenants introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic have been extended by government.

The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced the extensions on 10 March, which will see the ban on commercial evictions extended to 30th June as part of the government’s package of support for businesses unable to fully trade during Covid-19 restrictions. Residential tenants will also continue to benefit from a ban on bailiff-enforced evictions except in serious circumstances (e.g. cases of fraud or domestic abuse) until 31st Mat, with landlords required to provide 6-month notice periods.

Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP said:

It is right that as we move through the roadmap, we ensure that businesses and renters continue to be supported.

We have taken unprecedented action to support both commercial and residential tenants throughout the pandemic – with a £280 billion economic package to keep businesses running and people in jobs and able to meet their outgoings, such as rent.

These measures build on the government’s action to provide financial support as restrictions are lifted over the coming months – extending the furlough scheme, business rates holiday and the Universal Credit uplift.

The government’s current position is to support commercial landlords and tenants to agree their own arrangements for paying or writing off rent debts by 30 June; this is supported by the code of conduct published by the government last year, setting out best practice for these negotiations. 

The government is now launching a call for evidence on commercial rents to monitor negotiations between landlords and tenants to inform future steps for a phased withdrawal of protections after 30th June.