A TAUNTON property consultant has warned that new regulations governing the ways landlords can recover commercial rent arrears could upset relations between owners and tenants.

Sally Stark, of Bruton Knowles in Taunton, said the Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery procedure, due in April, will replace the tried and tested ‘distress’ common law remedy used for 800 years.

‘Distress’ allows landlords to recover rent arrears by instructing bailiffs to seize tenants’ goods and sell them without going to court or giving the tenant advance warning, but from April 6 landlords will have to give tenants notice.

Sally said: “Prior notice could give a tenant the opportunity to move items of value, restricting the usefulness of CRAR.”