If You Can’t Pay Business Rent or a Commercial Lease

If you are unable to pay your business rent or commercial lease, you are not alone. Many businesses experience financial difficulties at some point. The good news is that there are a number of options available to help you get through this difficult time.

In this article, we will discuss the ramifications of not paying your business rent or commercial lease and your options moving forward. We will also provide some tips on how to deal with your landlord and creditors.

What happens if I cannot pay the rent on my commercial lease?

If you cannot pay the rent on your commercial lease, your landlord has a number of legal options. These include:

• Forfeiture: Your landlord may terminate the lease and repossess the property. This is a serious step, and your landlord will usually only take it if you have failed to pay rent for a significant period of time.
• Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR): This is a legal procedure that allows your landlord to seize goods from your property to sell to recover the unpaid rent. CRAR can be used even if you have not received a court order.
• Court action: Your landlord may take you to court to obtain a judgment against you for the unpaid rent. If the court rules in your landlord’s favor, you may be ordered to pay the rent, plus interest and costs. If you do not pay, your landlord may be able to enforce the judgment by seizing your assets or making you bankrupt.

In addition to these legal options, your landlord may also be willing to negotiate with you to try to reach a solution. For example, they may agree to a payment plan or a reduced rent payment.

If you are unable to pay your commercial rent, it is important to contact your landlord as soon as possible to discuss your options. The sooner you contact them, the more likely they are to be willing to work with you.

Negotiating with Your Business Landlord if You Cannot Pay Your Lease Agreement

If you are unable to pay your business rent, it is important to contact your landlord as soon as possible to discuss your options. Landlords are also facing tough times, but many of them are willing to work with their tenants to find a solution.

Here are some tips for negotiating with your landlord:

• Be polite and professional. Remember that your landlord is a business partner, and you need to maintain a good relationship with them.
• Be honest and upfront about your situation. Explain why you are unable to pay your rent in full and what you are proposing to do instead.
• Be prepared to compromise. Be willing to negotiate on things like the amount of rent you pay, the payment schedule, or the length of the lease.
• Have a backup plan. If you are unable to reach an agreement with your landlord, be prepared to move out of your premises.

Ending a Commercial Property Lease Agreement Early

Under UK law, tenants can end a commercial lease agreement early in the following circumstances:

• With the landlord’s agreement: If the landlord agrees to terminate the lease early, both parties can sign a deed of surrender to end the lease.
• By exercising a break clause: A break clause is a clause in the lease that allows either the landlord or the tenant to terminate the lease early on a specified date. Break clauses are typically found in longer-term leases.
• By assigning the lease: Tenants may be able to assign their lease to another tenant, but this will require the landlord’s consent. Landlords will often require the tenant to guarantee the new tenant’s rent payments.

It is important to note that there may be financial penalties associated with ending a commercial lease early. For example, tenants may be liable for unpaid rent, early termination fees, and other costs.

What Can a Business Landlord Do if You Don’t Pay Your Commercial Lease?

If you are unable to pay your commercial lease, your landlord has a number of legal options, including:

• Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR): CRAR is a legal procedure that allows your landlord to seize goods from your property to sell to recover the unpaid rent. CRAR can be used even if you have not received a court order. However, there are a number of restrictions on when CRAR can be used, such as:
  • It can only be used if you have failed to pay at least seven days’ worth of rent.
  • It cannot be used if any part of the property is used residentially.
  • The landlord must give you seven days’ notice before seizing your goods.
• Forfeiture: Forfeiture is the process by which a landlord can terminate your lease and repossess the property. Forfeiture can be used for any breach of the lease, including non-payment of rent. However, landlords must use this power carefully, as tenants may be able to apply to the court for relief from forfeiture.
• Court action: Your landlord may also take you to court to obtain a judgment against you for the unpaid rent. If the court rules in your landlord’s favor, you may be ordered to pay the rent, plus interest and costs. If you do not pay, your landlord may be able to enforce the judgment by seizing your assets or making you bankrupt.

It is important to note that landlords cannot use all of these methods simultaneously. For example, if a landlord forfeits the lease, they cannot then proceed with CRAR.

If you are unable to pay your commercial rent, it is important to contact your landlord as soon as possible to discuss your options. Landlords are often willing to work with their tenants to find a solution, such as a payment plan or a rent reduction. However, if you are unable to reach an agreement with your landlord, you may need to seek legal advice.

What are your options if you can’t pay your business rent or commercial lease?

If you are unable to pay your business rent or commercial lease, there are a number of things you can do:

• Contact your landlord as soon as possible. Landlords are often willing to work with tenants to find a solution, such as a payment plan or a rent reduction.
• Consider a Time to Pay Arrangement with HMRC. If you owe money to HMRC, you may be able to agree to a Time to Pay Arrangement, which will allow you to pay your debts in monthly instalments over a period of up to 12 months.
• Consider a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). A CVA is a formal agreement between a company and its creditors that allows the company to restructure its debts. If a CVA is approved, creditors are legally bound to accept the terms of the agreement.
• Seek alternative finance. There are a number of alternative finance providers that can offer loans to businesses with poor credit or limited collateral.
• Consider going into administration. Administration is a formal insolvency procedure that protects a company from its creditors while it tries to restructure or sell the business.

What can you do to prevent enforcement action for an Unpaid Lease?

Here are four options to help you avoid enforcement:

• Communicate with your landlord as soon as possible. If you are struggling to pay your rent, let your landlord know as soon as possible. Many landlords are willing to work with tenants to find a solution, such as a payment plan or a temporary rent reduction.
• Make regular payments. Even if you can only afford to make small payments, it is important to do so regularly. This will show your landlord that you are committed to paying your rent and will help to build trust.
• Negotiate with your landlord. If you are unable to afford your rent at its current level, you may be able to negotiate a reduction with your landlord. Be prepared to compromise and come up with a realistic payment plan that you can afford.
• Seek professional advice. If you are struggling to deal with your landlord or are unsure of your options, you may want to seek professional advice from an accountant or insolvency practitioners such as ourselves. We can help you to negotiate with your landlord and find the best solution for your business.