DTI extends rent grace period until April 30

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is extending the 30-day grace period for rent payments to cover the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) until April 30.

Rent payments that fall due within this extended ECQ period will have an additional 30 calendar days to be paid after their original due date, with no additional interest, penalties, or fees.

The total accumulated rent amounts during the lockdown may be amortized over six months following the ECQ's end, to be added to succeeding monthly payments without penalties.

Lessors are not required to refund rent already paid during the ECQ but must grant the minimum 30-day grace period for future payments.

The DTI encourages lessors to consider waiving or reducing rents, renegotiating lease terms, or finding other ways to support MSMEs.

There will be no evictions for failure to pay rent that falls within the ECQ period, even after it is lifted.

Violations of these DTI guidelines by lessors can result in penalties, including imprisonment or fines, as stipulated by Republic Act No. 11469.