Yesterday (12 May 2021) the Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher, announced that tenants will continue to be supported through the easing of the national COVID-19 restrictions. This will include the longer notice periods for termination of tenancies remaining in place until at least October 2021. However, and here is the good news for landlords, the notice period will be reduced from six months notice to four months notice from 01 June 2021!

The other long awaited announcement is that the eviction ban will eventually end on 31 May 2021!

Section 21 Notice periods

As you are all probably very much aware, Landlords are currently required to give six months' notice to tenants to bring a tenancy to an end and before starting possession proceedings. This was an emergency measure implemented during the pandemic. However, yesterday’s announcements confirmed that the notice period will be lowered from six months to four months from 01 June 2021.

The notice periods for matters where there is unpaid rent equating to four or more months rent will reduce to two months notice from 01 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.

Subject to the public health advice and progress with the Government Roadmap, notice periods should return to pre-pandemic levels from 01 October 2021.

Bailiff Evictions

The ban on bailiff evictions was introduced at the beginning of the pandemic and was due to come to an end (or be revised) on 31 March 2021. Yesterday’s, announcement confirmed that this will end on 31 May 2021.

Note, however, that Bailiffs have been asked not to carry out an eviction if anyone living in the property has COVID-19 symptoms or is self-isolating. There is also a fourteen day notice requirement before an eviction can take place. Therefore, no evictions are expected to take place before at least mid-June, except in the most serious circumstances.

See the announcement in more detail here.

For further information or advice on the matters similar to those set out above do contact us at info@kdllaw.com or on 01435 897297 and we will be happy to help.

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