Legislation relief for landlords and tenants this Christmas

A double dose of legislation means landlords with long-term rent arrears can now pursue tenants, but in other rulings tenants can also relax as a moratorium on evictions is in place until at least mid January.

Landlord and tenant rent arrears

Some landlords with pre-Covid long term arrears have racked up huge potential losses, but now those with nine months arrears can pursue tenants and evict them.

New Coronavirus regulations released this week set out the limited circumstances under which evictions can go ahead.

Other tenants in rental properties face a more comfortable Christmas as the government has this week introduced legislation to ban evictions until January with no bailiff enforcement action, except for the most ‘egregious cases’ i.e. cases of anti-social behaviour.

Tenants and those in rental properties now cannot be issued eviction notices until at least January 11^th, with an added 14 day notice period it leads to a date of January 25^th until evictions will resume. Of course the extensions have been put in place for other corona affected businesses and so the moratorium may be extended.

“The legislation in favour of landlords is seen as a positive step forward as they can now instruct bailiffs and High Court Enforcement Officers to move to enforce warrants and complete evictions and begin to recoup some of the arrears owing to them,” said specialist litigation solicitor, Leigh Sunter.

“This will only apply to cases where nine months’ rent arrears had accrued prior to the March 23^rd lockdown, but it is still good news for landlords,” she added.

For advice on any aspects of commercial litigation, landlord and tenant issues and evictions contact Leigh Sunter on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

This blog was posted some time ago and its contents may now be out of date. For the latest legal position relating to these issues, get in touch with the author - or make an enquiry now.