Government Announces Further Extension to Residential Eviction Restrictions

The UK Government has announced a further extension to the ban on bailiff-enforced residential evictions in England, with the restrictions now remaining in place until 31 May.

The eviction ban was originally due to expire at the end of March but has been extended for an additional two months as part of ongoing measures to support tenants affected by the pandemic.

In addition, landlords will continue to be required to provide tenants with a minimum six-month notice period before seeking possession of a property. According to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, this requirement will remain in place until at least 31 May.

However, certain circumstances remain exempt from the extended notice period requirements. These include cases where tenants are:

• Engaging in anti-social behaviour (four weeks' notice)
• Providing false statements (two to four weeks' notice)
• Accumulating more than six months of rent arrears (four weeks' notice)
• Breaching immigration regulations under the Right to Rent policy (three months' notice)

The extension aims to provide continued protection for tenants during a challenging period while balancing the needs of landlords in exceptional circumstances.

There have also been increasing calls for additional government support for landlords who are experiencing significant financial difficulties due to growing rent arrears. Industry professionals continue to monitor developments closely as further announcements may be made in the coming months.

Landlords and tenants are encouraged to stay informed about the latest legislation and seek professional advice where necessary to understand their rights and responsibilities under the current regulations.