The government has confirmed that the evictions ban will end on 31 May 2021, however, bailiffs have been asked not to carry out an eviction if anyone living in the property has Covid-19 symptoms or is self-isolating. From 1 June 2021, notice periods – which had previously been extended to six months’ notice – will be reduced to four months’ notice. The announcement also said that, “subject to the public health advice and progress with the Roadmap”, notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from 1 October 2021.
Courts will continue to prioritise the most serious cases, such as those involving fraud or anti-social behaviour, with many of the evictions waiting to be enforced when the ban lifts predating the pandemic. Notice periods for the most serious cases will remain lower. These include:
- anti-social behaviour (immediate to 4 weeks’ notice)
domestic abuse in the social sector (2 to 4 weeks’ notice) - false statement (2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
- over 4 months’ accumulated rent arrears (4 weeks’ notice)
- breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ (2 weeks’ notice)
- death of a tenant (2 months’ notice)
Notice periods for cases where there is four or more months of unpaid rent, will be reduced to two months’ notice from 1 August 2021. This is to “support both landlords and tenants and responds to the greater difference between Covid-19 and pre-Covid-19 notice periods for rent arrears,” said the government’s announcement.
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.”
This article is intended as a guide only. For more information, see gov.uk.
source Goodlord.com
