Eviction Ban to end on 31st May 2021 and notice periods to be reduced to four months
The Government has confirmed that the evictions ban will end on 31 May 2021 and that from 1 June 2021, notice periods, which had previously been extended to six months' notice, will be reduced to four months' notice.
Yesterday, the UK Government announced that the current ban on bailiff-enforced evictions, introduced as an emergency measure during lockdown, will end on 31st May and that from 1st June, notice periods in England that are currently 6 months, will reduce to at least 4 months.
This applies to the notice that a landlord is required to give when seeking possession of a property, namely a Section 21 Notice and also the notice for possession for breach of tenancy (Section 8). However, notice periods for the most serious cases will remain lower:-
- 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 less than four months’ of unpaid rent, will reduce to 2 months’ notice from 1st August. This is to support both landlords and tenants and responds to the greater difference between COVID and pre-COVID notice periods for rent arrears.
Housing Minister Chris Pincher stated that "Subject to the public health advice and progress with the Roadmap, notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from 1st October. The measures will ensure renters continue to be protected with longer notice periods for the coming months, while allowing landlords to access justice - 45% of private landlords own just one property and are highly vulnerable to rent arrears."
Having operated under emergency conditions for over a year, the Government's announcement is an important step to ensuring the sector’s recovery and whilst the reduced notice periods are still longer than pre-COVID, it is pleasing to see the Government continuing to provide financial support to tenants and providing clarity for the rental sector as we navigate the easing of restrictions.
If you have any questions regarding these changes, or with regard to any other letting or property management matter, please speak to our experienced team, we will be happy to help.
01895 625999 - lettings@gibsonhoney.co.uk