Eviction Ban Extended 2 Months Until 23rd August

Eviction Ban Extended 2 Months Until 23rd August

10:38 AM, 6th June 2020, About 4 years ago 23

Text Size

The government extended the suspension of new evictions in England and Wales until 23 August. The extension announced by the Housing Secretary takes the moratorium on evictions to a total of five months.

Ministers are also working with the judiciary, legal representatives and the advice sector on arrangements, including new rules, which will mean that courts are better able to address the need for appropriate protection of all parties, including those shielding from coronavirus.  This is to ensure that judges have all the information necessary to make just decisions and that the most vulnerable tenants can get the help they need.

Where tenants do experience financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic, the government is clear that landlords and tenants should work together and exhaust all possible options such as flexible payment plans which take into account a tenant’s individual circumstances to ensure cases only end up in court as an absolute last resort.

Over the coming weeks, the government is taking careful steps to ease lockdown measures, alongside decisive steps already taken to unlock the housing market so people can move if they need to – for example where they may need to move for work or for family reasons.

While the government is taking unprecedented action to protect tenants and landlords during these times, the ultimate ambition is to transition out of these measures at the end of August to allow the market to operate while ensuring people have appropriate access to justice.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “We have provided an unprecedented package of support for renters during this pandemic. Today, I am announcing that the government’s ban on evictions will be extended for another 2 months. That takes the moratorium on evictions to a total of 5 months.

“Eviction hearings will not be heard in courts until the end of August and no-one will be evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.

“We are also working with the judiciary on proposals to ensure that when evictions proceedings do recommence, arrangements, including rules, are in place to assist the court in giving appropriate protections for those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus – including those tenants who have been shielding.”

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland QC MP, said: “Protecting vulnerable people has been our priority throughout this pandemic. Extending this ban will give people invaluable security in these turbulent times and work continues at pace to ensure vulnerable renters remain protected long after the ban ends.”

Today’s announcement builds on the package of measured taken to protect both renters and landlords affected by coronavirus, including:

  • The introduction of emergency legislation so landlords won’t be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a 3 month period which will remain in place until at least September;
  • Extending mortgage payment holdings to include landlords whose tenants are experiencing financial difficulties due to the pandemic;
  • Supporting businesses to continue to pay their staff through the furlough scheme, as well as strengthening the welfare safety net with a nearly £7 billion boost to the welfare system and increasing Local Housing Allowance;
  • Delivering £180 million in Discretionary Housing Payments to councils across the country to support renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sectors;
  • Guidance which helps landlords and tenants to work together to resolve issues at the earliest opportunity.

Further information

  • On request of the Lord Chancellor the Civil Procedure Rule Committee has today agreed to extend the ban on eviction proceedings by a further 2 months. The CPRC is an advisory non-departmental public body, made up of judges, barristers, solicitors and lay advice members, which makes rules to set out the practise and procedure to be followed in the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the County Court.
  • The two month extension will come into force on 25 June, ensuring there’s no gap between the existing ban and the extension, and also applies to home owners, commercial and leasehold.
  • The Master of the Rolls, as head of civil justice, has convened a judiciary-led, cross-sector, task-and-finish working group to consider and to address so far as practicable matters affecting litigants and the courts when the present stay on possession proceedings is lifted. This group has the support of the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government;
  • The focus of the group is on preparing the courts for the lifting of the suspension including how best to support parties, including vulnerable renters. The group will also include rules, guidance (including to private landlords as well as social landlords), the provision of information and the sharing of best practice.
  • Membership includes representatives from the judiciary, government, advice sectors, legal profession, Legal Aid agency, charities and pro bono organisations;
  • These changes apply to England and Wales.
  • Guidance for landlords and renters is in the process of being updated to reflect these changes

Share This Article


Comments

Reluctant Landlord

19:29 PM, 6th June 2020, About 4 years ago

MAD MAD MAD! A kick in the teeth to genuine landlords who are being shafted by bad tenants. When will it dawn that its not JUST about rent arrears. Bad debtors are often bad tenants generally so some continue to trash properties and cause untold damage - far beyond what any 5 week deposit would cover. Private landlords are effectively being put into financial difficulties as a direct result of the legal system - itself which is supposed to be based on fairness for all! The Government is stomping all over the rights of those that pay the bloody taxes that house the exact people they have washed their hands of.

What of the eviction cases started way before the lockdown? In the time between March and June why haven't these being at least heard and a judgement given even if they eviction instruction itself cannot be acted upon yet? Judgement should be made on these as priority so that when the floodgates open again on 23rd August they can start on the new tranche of claims heading their way.

Total injustice to those who have purposely sought to ensure the legal process is followed.

TheBiggerPicture

21:22 PM, 6th June 2020, About 4 years ago

Anyone played monopoly when another player started making up rules as you go along?

Well that's what we have, the banker (or Government) is making up rules to favour the players "Vulnerable tenants" and "Standard tenants", over "Vulnerable landords" and "Standard landlords".
Vulnerability is not the issue here, being a landlord is.

The only way for Landlords to be treated fairly is to be represented.
Landlords are not represented properly, and that makes us all vulnerable.

Luke P

13:07 PM, 7th June 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by WP at 06/06/2020 - 19:29In fact, they had a one-off opportunity with the eviction ban to clear their backlogs of cases by continuing to Hear those pre-eviction ban…

Rush001

11:32 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

What unprecedented action exactly was taken to protect the landlord?

Why is it legal to force one party of a civil contract to have to uphold their obligations while the other don't and get more protection from the government. I'm sure there'll be more before I finish posting this.

Every "reform" to the PRS is anti landlord legislation or regulations.

Someone commented on a post regarding announcement of one such legislation and I think that really is the core of the reason why we are in this mess. "lobby with your MPs, the government to protect yourself then - we weren't just given these, we fought and lobbied hard for it".

I don't see nearly enough noise about how unfairly and illegally landlords are being battered with communist and outright stupid legislations.

BobbyG

11:33 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

Hi All
Can anyone advise, does this new law/extension mean that the landlord can give 2 months notice to take possession as early as 23 June so that the property becomes empty on 23 August? Or does the new extension mean that notice can only be issued by the landlord on 23 August for the tenant to vacate the property 2 months later on 23 October?
I would like to know.

Hardworking Landlord

11:36 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

So the government throws another lifeline to rogue tenants at the landlords expense!
I thought a tenancy agreement and a section 21 notice were legally binding documents?
I assume there is no way of taking the government to court over this?

Syscouk

11:37 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

A government that mismanaged cornoavirus resulting in the UK having the second largest death toll in the world. Clear double standards from the government in regards to this new extension. On one hand you want to open up all non essential services by 15 June but not possession and eviction. It has given the green light to rouge tenants to continue to abuse the system further especially those who are in months of rent arrears and had nothing do with the virus.

Steve Masters

11:49 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

Yet another reason why I am tightening up my tenant selection process even further.
I will seek to house only the very best tenants.
I will not be houseing the vunarable because I will get absolutely no help if things go wrong.

lloydbuilders@hotmail.co.uk

11:54 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

And what happens when you wish to sell your BTL properties, specifically because you wish to retire??

Rod

11:56 AM, 8th June 2020, About 4 years ago

Here's a good idea:- why not sell up - squirrel the money away - find somewhere to rent but don't pay it - when eventuality kicked out (after 12 months court backlog) move on to the next mug and start all over again - so never have to pay a penny - simple! Time to start our own 'demonstration' and get noticed! Yours sincerely, Guy Fawkes

1 2 3

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now