The British Property Federation has struck out once more at the government’s eviction moratorium, calling for an end to the “abuse” of landlords through unpaid rents.
It is urging the government to cease the temporary ban on enforcement action next month.
In a statement, the BPF said: “Well-capitalised businesses that have traded throughout the pandemic continue to withhold much-needed rental income from the millions of pensioners and savers who invest in commercial property and own our high streets. This abuse must end now.”
It argued that property owners are continuing to support tenants in distress and pledged to work with government to provide any necessary reassurance.
The BPF said it would support a maximum six-month extension of the moratorium for retail, hospitality and leisure on rent arrears to June 2021.
The comments follow a plea from listed REITs British Land and Landsec, with the BPF, putting forward a plan for rental arrears.
Melanie Leech, chief executive at the BPF said: “Nowhere else in the world has the property industry been subject to such punitive measures by a government. The billions of pounds looking to invest in UK real estate will be watching our government’s actions closely as the moratoriums draw to an end at the end of June.
“The moratoriums must end and normal market conditions must return. The future of our town centres depends on this – the commercial property sector requires certainty of income to create the modern, fit-for-purpose town centres that will play a major role in economic, social and environmental recovery.”
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