The Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022 has now received Royal Assent. This means that from 25 March a legally binding arbitration process will be available for eligible commercial landlords and tenants who have not already reached an agreement.

This will resolve disputes about certain pandemic-related rent debt and help the market return to normal as quickly as possible.

The law applies to commercial rent debts of businesses including pubs, gyms and restaurants which were mandated to close, in full or in part, from March 2020 until the date restrictions ended for their sector. Debts accrued at other times will not be in scope.