Property Week have reported that the government has announced that the ban on commercial evictions has been extended by three months until 30 June.<\/p>\n
These measures build on the government\u2019s action to provide financial support as restrictions are lifted over the coming months \u2013 extending the furlough scheme, business rates holiday and the Universal Credit uplift.<\/p>\n
With further rates relief and new grants, and a clear plan for re-opening, high streets businesses should be confident in approaching their property owners to forge an economic partnership in which they can agree how to manage rental debt fairly. Rational property owners want their tenants to thrive \u00a0\u2013 empty properties generate no income and are a blight on our high streets.<\/p>\n
Melanie Leech, chief executive, British Property Federation said: \u201cAs 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\u2019s pensions and savings invested in commercial property, and has been a heavy blow for already stretched local authority landlords and public finances.\u201d<\/p>\n