The UK government has extended its ban on commercial evictions for three months, up to the end of June.
Hotels and other hospitality businesses have been forced to close because of the pandemic. The earliest they can fully reopen is 17 May.
“It is right that as we move through the roadmap, we ensure that businesses and renters continue to be supported,” Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP said.
“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.”
Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of British Property Federation, said that while in the majority of cases tenants and owners had been working well together, for a small number the “continuation of the moratorium will do nothing to unlock the stalemate and allow the market to re-set and recover.”
She continued: “As they prepare to re-open, in premises which property owners and their agents have kept safe and well-maintained, the scandal of those well-capitalised businesses who can pay rent, but have chosen not to, cannot be allowed to continue. Their behaviour has raided our nation’s pensions and savings invested in commercial property, and has been a heavy blow for already stretched local authority landlords and public finances.”