The eviction ban is finally at an end, with a change to notice periods given to tenants too.
The Government introduced the ban which prohibited bailiff-enforced evictions in March 2020 as part of their response to the pandemic. Along with it came an extension to eviction notice periods from 2 months to 6 months. Today that reduces to 4 months.
Priority in the courts will still be given to those most serious cases involving cases such as ASB, Domestic Abuse, Rent arrears of over 4 months, and Breach of Immigration Rules.
Housing Ministers have reassured tenants that they will be supported with these longer notice periods as the country navigates its way out of lockdown with a proposed return pre-pandemic periods of 2 months’ notice from October 1st “subject to the public health advice and progress with the Roadmap”
Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said that the government “will ensure tenants continue to be supported with longer notice periods, while also balancing the need for landlords to access justice. Crucial financial support also remains in place including the furlough scheme and uplift to Universal Credit.”
The Landlords’ trade body, the National Residential Landlords Association has welcomed the changes but says financial help for disadvantaged tenants remains a priority. “We want to see tenancies sustained wherever possible and call on the Chancellor to step in and provide affected tenants with the financial support they need to pay off rent arrears built as a result of the pandemic” NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle.
The situation with Covid-19 is rapidly changing. For the latest guidelines, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19
