As anticipated/feared by many landlords, the Government has announced that it will be further extending the forfeiture moratorium deadline, having already extended it from September to December this year. Landlords will now not be able to forfeit any leases for non-payment of rent until the end of March 2021. However, the Government has confirmed that this will be the final extension.
Whilst this update will no doubt be welcomed by many tenants, it does not obviate the need for tenants to pay the rent (and other sums) due under their leases. Landlords and tenants will now have three months to seek to renegotiate terms where tenants can genuinely no longer afford the rents due or tenants will risk facing eviction come April next year.
We understand that further guidance to support discussions between landlords and tenants will be published shortly.
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This support is for the businesses struggling the most during the pandemic, such as those in hospitality, however, those that are able to pay their rent should do so.”
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