On 12th May 2021, the Government announced the moratorium on enforcement agent enforced residential evictions (which was extended on 10th March 2021) will end on 31st May 2021.
What does this mean?
This means that unless the enforcement agent is made aware that someone living in the property has Covid-19 symptoms or is self-isolating, the agent will be able to carry out an eviction where a Possession Order has been made by the Court.
The Court will prioritise the most serious cases involving anti-social behaviour and fraud, as well as those waiting to be enforced predating the pandemic.
If you are unsure whether you can arrange an eviction, please contact our specialist Landlord and Tenant Solicitors on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an enquiry' form on our website.
Notices
There is also good news for landlords who are looking to obtain possession of their property.
The Government has announced that the 6-month notice period introduced over lockdown will be reduced to 4 months from 1st June 2021.
From 1st August 2021 notice periods for cases where there is four or more months of unpaid rent will reduce to 2 months' notice.
Notice periods for the most serious cases that present the most strain on landlords 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)
The Government also plans to reduce notice periods to pre-covid levels subject to the success of the planned 'road map' after 21st June 2021. This would mean a return to a two-month notice period for Section 21 Notices (no fault notices), which the Government are planning to abolish in the Autumn. It is therefore the optimum time to review any tenancies.
How we can help you
If you are a landlord and you would like to evict your tenant, it is important for you to be aware of the options available to you in connection with the tenancy. Alternatively, if you are a tenant and you think that you have been illegally served with an eviction notice, it is important that advice is sought at the earliest opportunity.
As a firm, we continue to monitor the Government's guidance and our experts are on hand to offer advice to both landlords and tenants during this difficult time. We will continue to provide updates as and when they arise.
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 Residential Landlord and Tenant or Commercial Landlord and Tenant web pages.
To book an appointment 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 (18th March 2021). This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice.
