Landlord eviction ban ends: What renters need to know now
The government’s ban on landlords evicting tenants during the pandemic has officially ended. Introduced in March to protect renters hit by coronavirus, the emergency rules covered both private and social housing and were extended until late September amid rising fears of a mass eviction crisis.
According to homelessness charity Shelter, 322,000 private tenants in England have fallen behind on rent since the pandemic began, with over 170,000 facing eviction threats.
Six months’ notice: Your eviction warning period
Good news for most renters: landlords must now give a six-month eviction notice — at least until 31 March 2021 as the government pledges to “support renters over winter”.
England
- If you got an eviction notice on or after 29 August 2020, your landlord must give six months’ notice unless they have serious grounds for a quicker eviction.
- Notices served between 26 March and 28 August 2020 require three months’ notice.
Wales
- Notices between 26 March and 23 July 2020 require three months’ notice for all evictions.
- From 24 July 2020, a six-month notice period applies — except for antisocial behaviour cases, which stay at three months.
- Most tenants receive six months’ notice.
- Shorter notices (three months or 28 days) apply for antisocial behaviour or when landlords or their families need the property.
When the six-month rule doesn’t protect you
The extended notice won’t apply if you have:
- Six months or more rent arrears
- Evidence of antisocial behaviour or neighbor complaints
- Broken tenancy terms
- Used your home for illegal activities, like drug dealing
- Been involved in domestic violence
Landlords can seek faster evictions under these conditions.
How eviction notices work
Most renters are on assured shorthold tenancies. Your landlord can serve you:
- Section 21 notice: a “no-fault eviction” at the end of your fixed term, with six months’ notice.
- Section 8 notice: eviction for specific reasons like rent arrears or property damage. The six-month rule may not apply here.
Both notices will state the date you must leave.
What if you refuse to leave?
Don’t budge by the eviction date and landlords can take possession claims to county court. But new rules require landlords to prove how coronavirus affected your situation before they get a possession order.
You’ll get court documents and info on legal advice. You can challenge the eviction, and highlight pandemic hardship.
If you prove extreme hardship, courts may delay eviction for up to six weeks.
Once a possession order is granted, landlords can apply for a warrant to have county court bailiffs evict you. You get 14 days’ notice. You can apply to suspend this warrant in some cases, but if denied, bailiffs will enforce it.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick promised no bailiff evictions during COVID lockdowns or over Christmas except in the “most serious circumstances.”
Your tenant rights in a nutshell
- Landlords must give written notice and a court order before evicting.
- Illegal evictions, harassment, or lockouts are forbidden.
- No section 21 eviction is allowed in the first four months of your tenancy.
- Section 8 notices require legal grounds and a court possession order.
Struggling to pay rent? Here’s what you should do
One in four private renters worry about rent payments due to the pandemic. If you’re struggling, speak to your landlord early.
Try negotiating reduced rent if you expect your finances to recover.
Also, check if you’re eligible for benefits. If you claim Universal Credit or housing benefit, you might access discretionary housing payments via your local council, which can pay rent directly to landlords.
For more information, consult official resources to protect yourself and understand your rights.
