The Government has recently extended the ban on landlords issuing eviction notices to residential tenants for a further six weeks.
The ban has been in place since the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020. It was due to end on 11 January 2021, but it has been extended until 21 February 2021.
We previously reported on this in June 2020 and August 2020. The effect of the extension is that landlords will be unable to evict tenants for at least the next six weeks, regardless of the severity of their alleged breaches of the tenancy agreement.
This news will come as a welcome relief for tenants, many of whom will be struggling with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to research by Citizens Advice, half a million tenants in the UK are behind with their rent and it is easy to see how tenants can get into rent arrears in the pandemic, with redundancies, Furlough leave and loss of income from self-employment all contributing to reduce household incomes. The extension of the ban will provide further security to those at risk of losing their homes.
On the other hand, the extension may pose further problems for residential landlords, who may want to evict their tenants if they are in arrears. Many landlords do not have a vast portfolio of properties and will rely on the rental income they receive to cover the mortgage of their rental property and to provide them with an extra source of income. The absence of rental income, combined with other loss of income may put residential landlords in a precarious financial position.
If you are a landlord and you would like to evict your tenant, it is important to be aware of the legal options available to you in connection with the tenancy. Alternatively, if you are a tenant and you think you have been illegally served with an eviction notice, it is important for you to seek advice at the earliest possible opportunity.
Our dedicated team is on hand to provide expert advice to you in connection with Landlord and Tenant Law. For more information on the Landlord and Tenant services we offer, please visit our dedicated webpage.
For more information or to discuss your individual circumstances in further detail, contact us today on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an enquiry' form on our website. To comply with social distancing rules, our team can offer telephone or video appointments from the comfort of your home.
*This article is accurate at the time of writing (27th January 2021). This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice.
