Government Extends Evictions Ban until at least February 2021
January 11, 2021
The evictions ban in England has been extended for a further six weeks, meaning landlords continue to be required to give 6-month notice periods to tenants until at least 31 March 2021 except in the most serious circumstances.
The only exceptions to this are for the most egregious cases – anti-social behaviour, illegal occupation, death of a tenant where the property is unoccupied, fraud, perpetrators of domestic abuse in social housing and extreme rent arrears equivalent to 6 months’ rent.
As when this ban was first announced, courts will continue to prioritise cases, such as those involving anti-social behaviour, illegal occupation and perpetrators of domestic abuse in the social sector.
A new mediation pilot will further support landlords and renters who face court procedures and potential eviction from February. It will offer mediation as part of the possession process to try and help landlords and tenants to reach a mutual agreement and keep people in their homes.
Helping to resolve disputes through mediation will enable courts to prioritise urgent cases, supporting landlords and tenants to resolve issues quickly without the need for a formal hearing. The mediation pilot will work within the existing court arrangements in England and Wales.
