A RETURN TO PRE-COVID EVICTION RULES
Many Landlords will be breathing a huge sigh of relief as Government Ministers announced their decision to change the required Notice period for Section 21 Notices back to 2 Months effective from 1st October 2021.
When the pandemic first struck in March 2020, the original 2 month Notice period was changed temporarily to 6 months in an effort to curb the spread of the virus and to keep in line with Lock down restrictions during this time. Landlords and tenants were urged to work together to ensure tenancies continued, with employment uncertain and the Nations economy coming to a standstill. The 6 month Notice period remained in place until 1st June this year when a partial relaxation to a 4 month period was introduced.
It’s been a trying time for both Landlords and tenants but figures suggest the vast majority of Tenancies have remained in tact as the effects of the Pandemic have started to ease. However, with these longer Notice periods and the Court and bailiffs System grinding to a halt, there remains a huge backlog of historic claims for possession progressing through the system. Delay times are ever increasing. It’s likely to take many months for these to be processed and with the reinstated 2 month Notice period, current Landlords requiring possession particularly due to excessive rent arrears, are only likely to add to this.
Although Landlords have broadly welcomed a return to pre-covid eviction rules, the government have not ruled out any further changes, retaining the power to reimplement Notice measures again should the Public Health situation worsen.
As regular readers will know, at Robert Ellis we offer an ongoing Landlord clinic advising on all aspects of Property management, Landlord and Tenancy Law and Rental queries. With ever changing Legislation its vital to be properly informed so call your local office or contact Guy Hall at guy.hall@robertellis.co.uk to book
an appointment.