As of 1 April 2020, the process for ending commercial leases for the non-payment of rent has been altered. Usually, your commercial tenant must be at least 10 working days behind in rent before you can cancel the lease. Under COVID-related changes, this time period has been extended to 30 working days. 

On 4 June 2020, the government announced it would pursue further changes around rent reductions for commercial tenants who are under financial pressure due to COVID. The proposed changes would require a fair reduction of rent for a commercial tenant with 20 or less full-time staff. However, no law changes have yet been made as we publish this blog.