The rental property eviction ban ended on 1st June.
The renting housing eviction ban was lifted on 1st June 2021.If you’re case has reached the stage where a bailiff-enforced eviction is possible, you can be issued with only 2 weeks’ notice of a housing eviction date.
Bailiffs were asked not to evict you if you or one of your household
- has coronavirus
- has been asked by the NHS to self-isolate
- have coronavirus symptoms
If any of these apply to you, you must inform the bailiff as soon as you know; the eviction will then be rescheduled for after your isolation period (normally 2 weeks).
Most tenants will receive a notice of 4 months (previously 6 months before 1st June) before court action can start if you have rent arrears, this will last until at least the end of September; if your rent arrears are very high you may be issued with a shorter notice. There are certain circumstances where the eviction notice period can be shortened further
Shortened Evictions notices:
- If the rent is owed to the landlord is more than 4 months’ worth. They can issue you with just 4 weeks’ notice period. Note: rent arrears cases will be reduced to a 2-month notice period come August 1st.
- Domestic abuse in the social sector will give 2-4 weeks’ notice
- False statement is 2-4 weeks’ notice
- Breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ is a 2-week notice period
- Death of tenant is a 2-month notice period
Courts will continue to process and prioritise the most serious cases, such as anti-social behaviour or fraud. Many evictions are waiting to take place once now the ban has lifted. However, it is illegal for your landlord to harass you in any capacity. This includes locking you out of your home (even if temporary), or evict you without a court order.
Note: only a court bailiff can remove you from your home. Don’t sign any dated documents given to you by your landlord, your tenancy remains even when the notice period is up until a court issued bailiff evicts you.
What help you can get
If you’re are struggling to find somewhere to live, by law the local council must help you. If you find this hard or are struggling to communicate with the council, call us at London Advice Centre on 020 3092 8211 and see how we can help. You can also get help with stopping or delaying the process of housing eviction (which London Advice Centre and other advice bureaus can help you with) whether you’re a council or housing association tenant or a private renter.
There is a upside though, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) will continue until the end of September as will the additional support of £20 weekly uplift through Universal Credit. You may also be eligible for Breathing Space, a government backed Debt Respite Scheme which can you ‘breathing space’ of 60 days where creditors can’t contact you, enforce action, or raise interest and penalty charges won’t be issued (you will still be legally required to pay your debts and liabilities during this time). We have a separate blog post on it if you’re interested.
If the UK roadmap out of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we expect a return to pre-pandemic notice periods by October 1st, averaging at around 2 months for England.
The ban on bailiff-enforced eviction was implemented by the UK government in 2020 as an emergency measure during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
How we can help you
If you, or someone you know is in need of housing advice on how to get financial aid if you’re eligible, how to stop evictions or if you think you have been evicted illegally, contact London Advice Centre for a housing consultation now. We offer an objective view and guidance on how to progress your claims or claim what you are entitled to.
Call now at 020 3092 8211 or email us at info@londonadvciecentre.org
This article is not legal advice and is based on the government’s guidelines. This article was written in June 2021, for the latest information and guidelines please refer to gov.uk.