End of the eviction ban: what landlords and tenants need to know

The Government has confirmed that the eviction ban will end on 31^st May 2021. This means that landlords can now proceed with evictions as they did prior to the coronavirus pandemic. However, from 1^st June 2021, the required notice period will be just four months, compared to the six months it was previously.

What is the eviction ban?

The eviction ban was part of the Coronavirus Act 2020, which aimed to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic. The Act increased the required notice period required from landlords; from 29^th August 2020, landlords were unable to start possession proceedings unless they had given tenants six months’ notice. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the notice period was only two months.

What are the new notice periods for evictions?

From 1^st June 2021, landlords will be legally required to give tenants four months’ notice of their eviction, however, bailiffs will not be allowed to evict anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 or is self-isolating.

In cases where there is four or more months of unpaid rent due, the notice period reduces to two months from 1^st August 2021.

The Government has said that notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from 1^st October 2021, subject to public health advice and the progress of the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Notice periods for serious cases such as anti-social behaviour will remain lower:

• Anti-social behaviour: immediate to four weeks’ notice
• Domestic abuse: two to four weeks’ notice
• Where tenant/s provided false statements to the landlord to grant tenancy: two to four weeks’ notice
• Over four months’ overdue rent: four weeks’ notice
• Breach of immigration rules: two weeks’ notice
• Death of a tenant: two months’ notice

The forms landlords need to use for giving tenants notice remain the same. The only change is the length of notice landlords will now have to give.

What are the benefits of this change in evictions for landlords and tenants?

Although notice periods are being reduced, tenants will continue to benefit from Government support and protection for the coming months as we come out of the pandemic. Many tenants will still be coming to terms with or recovering from a reduced income and change in employment as a result of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, landlords, many of whom have also felt the pinch during the pandemic, will be able to evict non-paying or troublesome tenants quicker.

Contact our landlord and tenant solicitors in Bristol

If you are a private landlord who needs assistance on a dispute with a tenant or are seeking practical help on evictions and possession proceedings, our property litigation solicitors can help. Call us on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.