Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022

PART 1Introductory provisions

2“Rent” and “business tenancy”

3“Protected rent debt”

4“Adversely affected by coronavirus”

5“Protected period”

6“The matter of relief from payment”

PART 2Arbitration

Approved arbitration bodies

7Approval of arbitration bodies

8Functions of approved arbitration bodies

References to arbitration by tenant or landlord

9Period for making a reference to arbitration

10Requirements for making a reference to arbitration

Proposals for resolving the matter of relief from payment

11Proposals for resolving the matter of relief from payment

12Written statements

Arbitration awards

13Arbitration awards available

14Arbitrator’s award on the matter of relief from payment

15Arbitrator’s principles

16Arbitrator: assessment of “viability” and “solvency”

17Timing of arbitrator’s award

18Publication of award

Arbitration fees and oral hearings

19Arbitration fees and expenses

20Oral hearings

Modification of Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996

22Modification of Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996

PART 3Moratorium on certain remedies and insolvency arrangements

23Temporary moratorium on enforcement of protected rent debts

24Alteration of moratorium period

25Temporary restriction on initiating certain insolvency arrangements

26Temporary restriction on initiating arbitration proceedings

27Temporary restriction on winding-up petitions and petitions for bankruptcy orders

PART 4Final provisions

28Power to apply Act in relation to future periods of coronavirus control

29Concurrent power for Welsh Ministers to apply moratorium provisions again

30Crown application

31Extent, commencement and short title

SCHEDULE 1Modifications of the Arbitration Act 1996 in relation to arbitrations under this Act

1Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 has effect in...

2Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 has effect in...

3The modifications under paragraphs 1 and 2 are without prejudice...

SCHEDULE 2Temporary moratorium on enforcement of protected rent debts

1Preliminary: interpretation

2Making a debt claim

3Debt claims made before the day on which this Act is passed

4Using CRAR (the commercial rent arrears recovery power)

5Enforcing a right of re-entry or forfeiture

6(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a superior landlord enforces,...

7Using landlord’s right to appropriate rent

8(1) This paragraph applies in relation to any payment of...

9Using tenant’s deposit to apply towards unpaid rent debt

SCHEDULE 3Winding-up and bankruptcy petitions

1Prohibition on presenting a winding-up petition solely in relation to a protected rent debt

2Prohibition on presenting a bankruptcy order petition in relation to a protected rent debt

3Bankruptcy orders made before the day on which this Act is passed

4Interpretation

Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022

2022 Chapter 12

An Act to make provision enabling relief from payment of certain rent debts under business tenancies adversely affected by coronavirus to be available through arbitration; and for connected purposes.

[24th March 2022]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—