Following news of the second national lockdown, Housing Minister Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has issued a statement on the protection of renters over the new national lockdown restrictions.
Building on the unprecedented action taken earlier this year, which gave renters a mandatory 6 month notice period over the national lockdown, Robert Jenrick has announced that this protection of renters will be extended over the second national lockdown and the Christmas period. The new announcement stated that:
- – Evictions will not be enforced while national restrictions are in place
- – Evictions by bailiffs will not be carried out until 11th January 2021 at the earliest.
- – Six month notice periods will likely be in place until at least the end of March 2021
This legislation, which enforces a pause on evictions starting in December, will therefore support families and individuals who have been impacted by the pandemic and are struggling financially.
There are some exceptions to this legislation for the most egregious cases, to ensure that, as Jenrick states, we are “Striking the right balance between helping tenants in need while ensuring landlords have access to justice in the most serious cases”.
Exceptions can be made for evictions during the national lockdown in the following circumstances:
- – illegal occupation
- – fraud
- – anti-social behaviour
- – eviction of domestic abuse perpetrators in social housing
- – where a property is unoccupied following the death of a tenant
Courts will remain open throughout the new lockdown restrictions to ensure that justice can be reached for both landlords and tenants in exceptional circumstances. Cases involving anti-social behaviour and other crimes will be strictly prioritised.
To read the full announcement and for more information on housing legislation during national restrictions, click here.
