Sam Eastham, 71, from Fulwood in Preston, Lancashire, relies on his tenants’ rent for income in his retirement. Landlords have been advised by the government to give tenants who need it a rent holiday for three months and to apply for mortgage holidays to offset these losses. Samuel, however, is one of many landlords who don’t have mortgages, and there is no recompense for lost income available to them.

Sam decided during his career as a chartered surveyor to build up a portfolio of properties to part-fund his retirement. The biggest single income from his ten properties is from a commercial site, which he has granted a three-month rent holiday. He is also talking to his residential tenants about whether they will carry on paying.