June 2021 - key dates for businesses and individuals

Changes to possession proceedings – 1 June

An end to the eviction ban

As of today (1 June), landlords can once again apply to evict tenants. The eviction ban was introduced by the government at the start of the pandemic to protect people from losing their homes in such a turbulent period. However, for landlords this ban has meant a strain on cash flow, putting some into difficult financial circumstances, especially for those owed large amounts of unpaid rent.

Although evictions are now able to take place once more, landlords must give 14 days’ notice and, due to COVID-19 safety concerns, bailiffs are being asked not to carry out evictions if anyone living in the property has COVID-19 symptoms or is self-isolating.

Reduced notice periods

The government has also set out to shorten notice periods for landlords seeking possessions. Also form today (1 June), the current six-month notice period will be shortened to just four months. Although the current exceptions will still be applicable, there are a number of key changes for grounds of possession and their notices, including:

• Anti-social behaviour (immediate to four weeks’ notice)
• Domestic abuse in the social sector (two to four weeks’ notice)
• False statement (two to four weeks’ notice)
• Four months’ or more accumulated rent arrears (four weeks’ notice)
• Breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ (two weeks’ notice)
• Death of a tenant (two months’ notice)

Read more about the changes in our blog on key changes for possessions proceedings. If you’re a landlord and need advice then contact Habib Khan in our housing management team who can guide, you through any housing management and litigation issues you may face.