Private Rental Sector Exit Plan Confirmed!

The government has finally announced the private rental sector exit plan out of the lockdown restriction.

Notice Periods

As part of a phased approach, those notice periods which are currently extended to six months will be reduced to four months from 01/06/2021.

Notice periods for the most serious cases are amended from 01/06/2021 as follows:

• Over 4 months’ accumulated rent arrears owing – 4 weeks’ notice (currently 6 months’ arrears are required).
• Anti-social behaviour – remains at between immediate to 4 weeks’ notice.
• Breach of immigration rules, i.e., ‘Right to Rent’ – 2 weeks’ notice (currently three months’ notice is required).
• Acquiring the tenancy because of a false statement – changed to between 2 to 4 weeks’ notice.
• Death of a tenant – 2 months’ notice (currently 3 months’ notice is required).

In addition, from 01/08/2021, notice periods for cases where there are over 4 months accumulated unpaid rent will reduce further to 2 months’ notice.

Subject to progress with the government’s ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from 01/10/2021.

Bailiff Evictions

The current ban on all bailiff-enforced evictions will end on 31/05/2021.

The courts will continue to prioritise the most serious cases, such as those involving fraud or anti-social behaviour, with many evictions still waiting to be enforced which predated the pandemic.

Does this affect you? Do you have issues with tenants and not know what to do next? Get in touch with Rebecca at Landlord Support for some free and friendly initial advice… 01704 790 532, hello@landlord-support.co.uk, www.landlord-support.co.uk.