

COVID-19
Consultancy, pro bono support &
return-to-THE-OFFICE assessment for commercial occupiers
The continued impact of COVID-19 knows no bounds. First and foremost, there is the terrible loss of life. Then there is the impact on economies, and the knock-on effects that this in turn has on health – it is a vicious, vicious circle.
Even as 2021 begins to unfold, and we are once again nationally ‘locked down’, a rapidly growing number of businesses are now fighting for their own lives, as they continue to suffer from significantly reduced commercial activity. Despite fiscally supportive measures from governments globally being implemented to a scale that has never before been witnessed, many organisations are still struggling to cope. Many are failing. Many will not cope. Since the first UK lockdown back in March last year, we have helped our clients and businesses in every way possible and will continue to do so in 2021.
Our core principles are the behaviours that underpin the way we do things. One of these principles especially stands out –Together. Accordingly, we continue to offer pro bono support to commercial occupiers. In 2020 alone, we reached out to over 25,000 businesses in the UK. If your organisation needs help or advice in dialogue with your landlord regarding the financial covenants in your commercial property lease(s) – please get in touch.
DeVono Cresa has weathered several storms over the past 18 years – we have navigated our way through them each time by evolving and by learning, and by applying our conscience to the circumstances and to our clients. As the UK’s leading occupier-only commercial property advisory firm, we specialise in providing real estate solutions that support our clients’ overall business objectives. We are committed to that goal, and benefit from a deep pool of experience at helping commercial occupiers to make smart property decisions that positively impact your business.
In 2021, we will continue to track UK Government guidance and campaign through this crisis to extend the business rates holiday to companies across all sectors. An extension of the business rates holiday is critical to a vast number of businesses, and could be the difference between surviving the pandemic, or not. Please sign the petition.
We are confident that we will transition through this with the support of one another. We are in this together. Take care, and stay safe.
Summary of the UK Government's 'COVID-19 secure' guidelines:
Commercial Real Estate Roadmap
Unlocking Your Future Real Estate Strategy
DeVono Cresa is pleased to launch its ‘Commercial Real Estate Roadmap’ – a handbook to help all businesses devise their future commercial real estate strategy, both during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic. In the handbook we outline the ways in which business leaders should approach commercial real estate decisions using our ‘Return, Revitalise and Transform’ model.
Return-To-The-Office Risk Assessment
Over the past couple of months, we have been working with a large number of businesses to assess their return to office strategy, and preparations to deliver a ‘COVID-19 Secure’ office. Our assessment tool forms a key part of our strategic approach recognising the short, medium, and long-term priorities that all businesses will need to overcome. Our work goes beyond the physical space and addresses workplace practices, technology and people.
This document outlines the key findings from our RTO assessments. Download here.
Return To Safe Working
DeVono Cresa and Simmons & Simmons have co-authored this briefing document answering some of the most pertinent questions for businesses planning a phased return to work. This document brings together the joint expertise of these two firms in commercial property leasing and employment law, answering a series of questions regarding the government framework that employers need to abide by to make their workspace ‘COVID-19 secure, and a host of employment law considerations when planning a return to work.
This is a live document. It will be updated in accordance with announcements made by the UK government as they appear.
You can download the document here.
DeVono Cresa has summarised the new voluntary Code of Practice for the commercial property sector published by the UK Government. This Code aims to encourage commercial tenants and landlords to work together to protect livelihoods and businesses. Though the Code is voluntary for now, the government has stated that this could be made mandatory, if necessary. The Code will apply until 24th June 2021, and has been developed in collaboration with industry leaders and affiliated associations and seeks to provide a guide for all concerned parties when discussing rental payments. For both landlords and tenants, the Code is designed to support ongoing dialogue and encourages all parties to work to the best mutual outcome.
You can read the full Code of Practice here.
The Code of Practice sits alongside other government measures related to commercial leases such as the moratorium on lease forfeiture or rent arrears recovery. It is worth noting that the Coronavirus Act 2020 will be amended to extend the moratorium on forfeiture for non-payment of rent until 31st March 2021. The moratorium against service of statutory demands / issue of winding up proceedings has also been extended to 31st March 2021.
You can download our summary document here.

COVID-19 FAQs For Occupiers
DeVono Cresa and Simmons & Simmons have co-authored this briefing document that answers some of the most frequently asked questions by businesses on a range of COVID-19 related challenges. This document brings together the joint expertise of these two firms in commercial property leasing and contract law, and answers a series of questions regarding leased premises, serviced office and coworking spaces, business rates, as well as government support schemes for businesses.
This is a live document. It will be updated in accordance with announcements made by the UK government as they appear.
You can download the document here.
Please get in touch on +44 (0)20 7096 9911 or contact our Head of Office Agency and Consultancy, Chris Lewis, at: cl@devonocresa.com or fill out the contact form.
Request Advice
To view our on-going COVID-19 podcast series, which will include a range of informative content provided by our leadership team, visit our podcast library here.
DeVono Cresa joined by 60+ commercial property firms calling on the government to extend the business rates holiday
In March, we petitioned the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the rates holiday to businesses across all sectors. For many organisations, the suspension of business rates could be the difference between staying open and closing. Today, more than 60 firms from across our sector joined us in our campaign calling on the UK Government to take action to help companies up and down the country facing bankruptcy, as featured in our Letter to the Editor in the Financial Times. You can read the Financial Times report on this campaign here.
Related blogs:
Joint paper with Cripps Pemberton Greenish (Coronavirus – Consequences for Office Tenants):
https://www.crippspg.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/real-estate/consequences-for-office-tenants/
Please also see our highlights page of the UK government’s daily COVID-19 press briefing
Don’t forgot to download your copy of The Occupier, our London Office Market Review for Q2 2020 now!
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) September 8, 2020
‘Adapt, Adopt, Improve – Embracing change in difficult times’.
Download the report here:https://t.co/cuylCz6OPZ pic.twitter.com/oQaScsw2jb
DeVono Cresa's Head of Office Agency and Consultancy, Chris Lewis, features in the @FT where he discusses the problems co-working spaces face. This piece also highlights how WeWork are slashing prices to hold on to its customers.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) October 15, 2020
Read here: https://t.co/ipq7hs7KBm
DeVono Cresa presents highlights of our webinar with @BDBpitmans, focusing on the post-COVID workplace and how businesses should “Adapt, Adopt and Improve” their office space, aligned with a legal perspective on their leasehold liabilities.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) October 13, 2020
View here: https://t.co/7zrZpdsfH6
We launch our London Office Occupancy Costs report today, aiming to provide greater transparency on the total cost of leasing office space in London to ensure that businesses have full visibility of their office cost base.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) October 12, 2020
Download the full report here: https://t.co/IZDreJ1L7W pic.twitter.com/B0Sh7mLkCT
DeVono Cresa presents the highlights of our most recent video podcast, where we discuss the new hybrid approach to leasing, highlight some of the trends that we have been seeing over recent months & predict what we could expect going forward.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) October 6, 2020
View here: https://t.co/9iKEaVW7eV
In our latest insights report, our Central London Office Market Snapshot, we highlight the varied factors that are influencing business decisions regarding the office as a result of COVID, both in the short and long-term.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) October 1, 2020
Download now: https://t.co/rJNCpEBb0N pic.twitter.com/MpmQDtXajY
DeVono Cresa’s Joint CEO, Luke Philpott, speaks to @comm_people on how the commercial property sector has been impacted by COVID-19 and what we expect for the future.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) September 30, 2020
Read the full article here: https://t.co/daFfVaScYf
DeVono Cresa’s Joint CEO, Luke Philpott, features in @Telegraph discussing why a safe return to the workplace is necessary to restore our work-life balance and boost the economy.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) September 15, 2020
Read the full article here: https://t.co/hWIVk2I37j
The UK Government recently updated their #COVID19 Secure guidelines for employers to help businesses as they start to return to their places of work.
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) September 14, 2020
For your convenience, we have summarised the most relevant government guidance for businesses here: https://t.co/xePDJmCn4y pic.twitter.com/GEolh2UAec
DeVono Cresa features in @EveningStandard in a piece discussing the future of workspace in London with research from ‘The Occupier’, our London office market review for Q2 2020. @ES_JoBourke
— DeVono Cresa (@DeVonoCresa) September 4, 2020
Read the full article here: https://t.co/pXBX6KOU4j