Welcome news for landlords as rules return to pre-pandemic levels
With the aim of protecting and supporting tenants, the Coronavirus Act 2020 came into force on 26 March 2020 and substantially affects the ability of landlords to recover possession of properties in England. The frequent (and often last minute) changes have been difficult to keep up with so the most recent change will most certainly be welcomed by residential landlords.
Currently the minimum notice period required by a section 21 notice is four months. The minimum notice period required by a section 8 notice, where there has been a breach of the tenancy agreement, will depend upon the grounds relied upon but ranges from immediately upon issue of the notice, to four months’ minimum notice.
The good news for landlords is that from 1 October 2021 notices seeking possession of residential properties in England will revert to pre-pandemic levels for both section 8 and section 21 notices.
Furthermore, from 1 October 2021, there will be a new prescribed form of notice which should be used. Of course, landlords will also need to ensure that they have complied with other relevant laws to ensure any notice is valid.
Whilst it is good news that the minimum notice periods have reverted to pre-pandemic levels, it should also be noted that the ‘relevant period’ was extended to 25 March 2022, meaning the government has retained its ability to impose longer notice periods.
Hopefully this will be the last substantial amendment to the process of recovering possession but, as the relevant period has been extended, it is possible that notice periods could change again before 25 March 2022 and it is likely that much will depend on the effect of the pandemic over the winter months.”
If you are a residential landlord and need advice regarding recent rule changes or are considering evicting a tenant, then please contact me directly by emailing ieuan.jones@GAsolicitors.com or calling 01752 203500.
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