On 23 March 2020, we reported on the Government’s support package for residential tenants and landlords affected by COVID-19. In brief, this is a moratorium on landlords bringing new possession claims to protect renters from eviction if they cannot pay rent coupled with three month mortgage repayment holidays to assist those landlords affected.
Last Friday, the Government announced these measures will be extended until 23 August 2020. The full press release can be found here.
The extension will come into force on 25 June 2020, ensuring there is no gap between the existing ban and the extension.
The press release then goes on to announce that we can expect new rules and arrangements designed to ensure that, when formal eviction proceedings are open to landlords again, judges will have all the relevant information to make just decisions and protect vulnerable tenants, including those shielding from Coronavirus. We will report on these as they are announced but in the meantime the Government hopes that:
Landlords and tenants […] work together and exhaust all possible options – such as flexible payment plans which take into account a tenant’s individual circumstances – to ensure cases only end up in court as an absolute last resort.
If you would like further advice or information about this or other residential tenancy issues, please get in touch with Angus Young or Adina-Leigh Collins in the Grant Saw Landlord and Tenant team.