The Government has urged commercial landlords to show forbearance to tenants who cannot meet their obligations under their leases because of the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The request came as it published a new voluntary code of conduct on commercial rents that has been agreed between landlords and business representatives.
The code sets out principles of engagement which both landlord and tenants should commit to abide by in order to prevent disputes arising during the pandemic.
It suggests that full or partial rent-free periods, a split in the cost of the rent between landlord and tenant and rent reductions to a current market rate and/or a proportion of turnover should be considered where tenants cannot pay in