Notice periods to be reduced from 1st June 2021

The government has confirmed that the evictions ban will end on 31st May 2021, although, bailiffs will not carry out an eviction if anyone living in the property has Covid-19 symptoms or is self-isolating. From 1st June 2021, notice periods - which had previously been extended to six months' notice - will be reduced to four months' notice.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said: "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.

Courts will continue to prioritise the most serious cases, such as those involving anti-social behaviour.

The announcement by the Government outlines the following:

From 1 June:

• Enforcement of possession by county court bailiffs and high court enforcement officers will be allowed in all cases, although they will be asked not to enforce where a tenant is self isolating or has Covid-19 symptoms
• Any notice periods currently set at six months – for both Section 8 and Section 21 – will reduce to four months, with ground 7 (death of a tenant) and 7B (Right to Rent breach) reducing to pre-Covid levels.
• The definition of ‘serious rent arrears’ – which enables access to a four week notice period under Section 8 grounds 8, 10 and 11 – will reduce from six months’ to four months’ rent.

From 1 August:

• The notice period for ‘non-serious’ arrears - i.e. less than four months arrears - will reduce to two months’ notice.

From 1 October

• All extended notice periods will revert to pre-Covid levels, for both Section 8 and Section 21.