UK Landlord & Tenant Updates

This article provides the latest UK landlord tenant updates, covering rent protections, insolvency rules, and planning reforms. These changes affect landlords, tenants, and commercial property use in 2026.

New Government Changes to Landlords and Tenants

The UK government has extended the Coronavirus Act measures to protect struggling businesses from lease forfeiture. The extension runs from 30 September to 31 December 2020. This prevents landlords from terminating a tenant’s lease if the tenant cannot pay rent over the next three months. Many businesses in England and Wales have their next quarterly rent due on 29 September.

During this period, landlords cannot use Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) unless tenants owe 276 days of rent.

The government has introduced regulations in parliament to extend restrictions on filing statutory demands and winding-up petitions against companies. If approved, these restrictions on debt recovery through insolvency will continue until 31 December 2020. The restrictions do not apply to statutory demands or bankruptcy petitions against sole traders or unincorporated partnerships.

The government encourages landlords and tenants to follow the Code of Practice for the commercial property sector. It advises both sides to work together on rent payment options when businesses struggle. Businesses that can pay rent should continue to do so.

Key Planning Changes

  • A new Use Class E covers shops (formerly A1), financial and business services (A2), restaurants and cafes (A3), and business (B1). Properties in these uses no longer require planning permission for changes within this class.

  • Landlords and developers can raise the height of existing buildings by up to two floors to build flats without planning permission.

  • They can also demolish underused buildings and replace them with new blocks of flats without planning permission.

  • These measures give landlords and tenants more flexibility in property use. They also allow businesses to adjust their models more easily. These UK landlord tenant updates ensure everyone understands how planning reforms affect property use and future rent agreements.

  • Careful legal drafting is essential to ensure landlords retain control over building use. It also protects tenants from unfair outcomes in future rent reviews.