Eviction notice periods slashed from six months to four from June putting thousands of renters at risk of homelessness
EVICTION notice periods will be slashed from six months to four from June, the government has announced.
It means Brits will have two months less to find a new place to live if their landlord wants them out, putting thousands of renters at risk.
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The eviction ban, which has been in place since March last year, will also not be extended beyond the May 31 deadline.
Bailiffs cannot carry out repossessions except in extreme circumstances - but they will be allowed to do so once more from the end of the month.
This is unless anyone living in the property has Covid symptoms or is self-isolating.
Since August last year, landlords have had to give tenants six months notice before evicting them.
This was rolled out as part of an emergency measure to protect Brits during the pandemic.
But this will be cut to four months from June 1.
From August 1, landlords will also be allowed to give tenants an eviction notice of just two months if they owe four or more months of rent.
What to do if you can't pay your rent
FOR private renters, speak to your landlord as soon as you can.
They may be able to defer your payment, or to allow you to pay a smaller amount - but they don't have to do this.
Social renters should speak to their housing association or local council.
If you've tried speaking to your housing association or landlord and they aren't being sympathetic, contact Shelter for advice and support. They'll be able to guide you about what to do next.
If you're finding it difficult to manage your payments because you're in debt, here are some tips for you to curb it:
Check your bank balance on a regular basis - knowing your spending patterns is the first step to managing your money
Work out your budget - by writing down your income and taking away your essential bills such as food and transport
If you have money left over, plan in advance what else you’ll spend or save. If you don’t, look at ways to cut your costs
Pay off more than the minimum - If you’ve got credit card debts aim to pay off more than the minimum amount on your credit card each month to bring down your bill quicker
Pay your most expensive credit card sooner - If you have more than one credit card and can’t pay them off in full each month, prioritise the most expensive card (the one with the highest interest rate)
Prioritise your debts - If you’ve got several debts and you can’t afford to pay them all it’s important to prioritise them. Your rent, mortgage, council tax and energy bills should be paid first because the consequences can be more serious if you don't pay
Get advice - If you’re struggling to pay your debts month after month it’s important you get advice as soon as possible, before they build up even further.
Groups like Citizens Advice, Money Advice Trust or StepChange can also help you prioritise and negotiate with your creditors to offer you more affordable repayment plans.
Finally on October 1, landlords will then be allowed to serve two month eviction notice periods.
Renters must be given 14 days notice before an eviction notice is served, so no evictions will take place before mid-June, the government has said - expect for the "most serious circumstances".
These circumstances include:
- Antisocial behaviour - which means tenants can be evicted immediately
- Domestic abuse - requiring two to four weeks notice
- Breach of immigration rules - requiring two weeks notice
Other examples where evictions can still be enforced include death of a tenant where the property is unoccupied, and fraud.
Housing minister Christopher Pincher said: "From the beginning of the pandemic, we have taken unprecedented action to protect renters and help keep them in their homes.
“As Covid restrictions are eased in line with the roadmap out of lockdown, we will ensure tenants continue to be supported with longer notice periods, while also balancing the need for landlords to access justice.
“Crucial financial support also remains in place including the furlough scheme and uplift to Universal Credit.”
It comes as the government has faced pressure from charities to extend the eviction ban beyond May 31 to help hard-up Brits struggling to get by due to the pandemic.
Covid debt is putting thousands of Brits at risk of eviction, according to debt charity .
Around 150,000 tenants are at risk of being kicked out of their homes when restrictions lift at the end of the month, the charity said.
The government's announcement today does "nothing" to address this rent debt crisis, National Residential Landlords Association chief executive Ben Beadle said.
" With the number of private tenants in arrears having increased threefold since lockdown measures started, more are at risk of losing their homes as restrictions ease.
"We want to see tenancies sustained wherever possible and call on the Chancellor to step in and provide affected tenants with the financial support they need to pay off rent arrears built as a result of the pandemic.”
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