Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Relief from Forfeiture definition

What does Relief from Forfeiture mean? Relief from forfeiture is the application made after a landlord has terminated (forfeited) a lease for breach—most commonly non‑payment of rent—asking the court to reinstate the tenant’s lease; a sub‑tenant or mortgagee may instead seek a vesting order or a new lease for the residue of the term to protect its interest. Applications are often made in, or alongside, possession proceedings. In England and Wales it is a discretionary, equitable remedy supplemented by legislation (including the section 146 Law of Property Act 1925 notice regime for non‑rent breaches and specific rules for rent arrears under the County Courts Act 1984). The...

Relief from forfeiture for rent arrears: procedures, deadlines and terms for proceedings and peaceable re-entry (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

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The route to obtaining relief from forfeiture differs widely with the type of default. This Practice Note specifically addresses relief from forfeiture arising from rent arrears. For guidance on seeking relief for any alternative breach, refer to Practice Note: Relief from forfeiture for breach of covenant.

Which interests does relief from forfeiture apply to?

Beyond leases, relief may extend to certain other relevant proprietary interests. Consult the guidance in Practice Note: Relief from forfeiture for breach of covenant—Which interests does relief from forfeiture apply to?

Jurisdiction

Historically, the courts have exercised an inherent jurisdiction to grant relief from forfeiture for non-payment of rent. In some areas, this equitable jurisdiction has been supplanted by statute, including in relation to breaches other than non-payment of rent (see Practice Note: Relief from forfeiture for breach of covenant—Jurisdiction to grant relief in respect of breaches of covenant (other than non-payment of rent)). For more detail, see Commentary: Relief from forfeiture for non-payment of rent: Hill and Redman's Law of Landlord and Tenant [5041].

Who can apply for relief?

See Practice Note: Relief from forfeiture for breach of covenant—Who can apply for relief?

How to apply for relief

If a landlord intends to forfeit...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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