The Government has announced a support package for residential tenants and landlords affected by the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Measures to Protect Tenants
The measures include a complete ban on new eviction proceedings against tenants in both social housing and privately rented accommodation. This ban will be in place for at least three months.
These measures are designed to protect renters from eviction if they cannot pay rent due to the procedures in place to restrict the spread of the coronavirus. It is not clear what effect the measures will have on existing possession proceedings however likely impending court closures and a clear public health policy imperative point to a likely hiatus.
Measures to Protect Landlords
The Government has also announced a three month mortgage repayment holiday on buy-to-let mortgages where tenants are unable to pay the rent due to coronavirus. The Government’s hope is that this will reduce pressure on landlords and by turns on tenants. More optimistically they suggest that landlords and tenants work together at the end of the three month period to establish a workable repayment plan taking the individual tenant’s circumstances into account.
If you would like further advice or information about this or other residential tenancy issues please contact Grant Saw’s Landlord and Tenant team.