The government a served a bittersweet dish for landlord with its plans for the housing sector, as it promised to begin to wind down emergency measures to support renters during the pandemic as its long-term plans to improve tenants’ rights received a cool response from the industry.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced a phased approach to eviction notice periods, which had been extended to six months as a Covid-related emergency measure. Notice periods will be set at four months from 1 June and return to pre-pandemic levels from 1 October. More serious cases, such as those involving anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse, will continue to have shorter notice periods.
The announcement comes a day after the government revealed in a Queen’s speech briefing document that it will publish a white paper this autumn on renters’ reforms, which is expected to include the abolition of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, which the government consulted on in 2019.
Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 enables private landlords to repossess their properties from assured shorthold tenants without having to establish fault on the part of the tenant.
Watch this space. Contract our Housing Department on 020 3223 0800 if you require any assistance in any Landlord & Tenant issues.