Ban on commercial evictions extended

The moratorium preventing commercial property tenants from being evicted has been extended until the end of 2020. This is clearly designed to help businesses protect jobs. Fixed property costs (including rent) are often one of the largest business expenses and the risk of eviction would usually mean that a tenant might prioritise paying its rent over other expenses. After all, no premises may well mean no business. So, this extension is likely to come as some relief to the thousands of businesses struggling to stay afloat. However, commercial landlords are businesses too and without rent receipts, they too are going to struggle. Government may well need to come up with some package to assist them as well.