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Update for landlords and tenants as Covid-19 restrictions ease (28 May 2021)

Date: 28/05/2021
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Update for landlords and tenants as Covid-19 restrictions ease

On 12 May 2021, the government announced that there will be many important changes to notice periods, forms and evictions as pandemic restrictions ease.

New notices

From 1st June 2021, the six-month notice period will be reduced to at least four months for the majority of possession cases.

However, notice periods will still remain lower for:


  • 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)



Be that as it may, these changes will not apply for any notice given or served before 1st June 2021.

In an attempt to support landlords and tenants and respond to the greater difference between notice periods for rent arrears during and before Covid the government will make the following changes from 1st August 2021.

As part of the changes, notice periods for cases where the tenant has less than four months rent arrears will be reduced to two months’ notice again and where the tenant is four months or more in arrears will remain at four weeks’ notice.

From 1st October 2021, it is expected that notice periods will revert to pre-pandemic levels subject to the public health advice and progress with the Roadmap for lifting lockdown.

These changes can be found here.


New forms

From 1st June 2021, new prescribed forms for section 21 and section 8 must be used. The timeframe to act upon a section 21 notice will be reduced from ten months to eight months for notices served on or post 1st June 2021.

These changes can be found here.



Evictions

It has also been confirmed that restrictions will end for evictions on 31st May 2021.Those wishing to rely on this change should not forget that notice of at least 14 days will be required before most evictions can take place. As a result we anticipate that a great deal of evictions will start to occur around mid-June.

It goes without saying that these crucial changes are most likely intended to provide greater clarity in the transition to pre-covid times.

If you are, or know anyone who is, having any difficulties with evictions or possession circumstances, then you can approach us at Duncan Lewis Solicitors to assist you.



Author Amandeep Bains is a caseworker in the housing department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and has experience handling a wide range of social housing matters. He is supervised by housing solicitor Adrian Smith and housing director Manjinder Kaur Atwal.

Contact Amandeep on 020 7275 2843 or at amandeepb@duncanlewis.com

Contact Adrian on 020 7014 7395 or at adriansm@duncanlewis.com

Contact Manjinder on 020 3114 1269 or at manjindera@Duncanlewis.com


Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can guide clients in any matter or issues arising with local housing authorities, housing applications, tenants, landlords, ownership and repairs.

With a niche expertise in Possession and Unlawful Eviction cases the Department holds a significant presence in County Court Possession Duty Schemes throughout London including the Central London County Court.

Our housing department also offers representation in all proceedings including reviews, appeals and judicial review proceedings relating to homelessness, disrepair, succession for tenants and neighbourhood disputes against local authorities.

If you have any housing related queries or require representation please do not hesitate to contact our team of expert solicitors on 033 3772 0409.

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