Ban on evictions and notices extended by four weeks

Following increasing pressure, the ban on evictions extended for another four weeks and new six month notice periods to be in place until at least 31 March 2021.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that renters affected by coronavirus will continue to be protected for another four weeks, meaning in total no legal evictions will have taken place for six months.

The government also intends to give tenants greater protection from eviction over the winter by requiring landlords to provide tenants with six months’ notice in all bar those cases raising other serious issues such as those involving anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse perpetrators, until at least the end of March.

Jenrick said: "I know this year has been challenging and all of us are still living with the effects of Covid-19. That is why today I am announcing a further four week ban on evictions, meaning no renters will have been evicted for six months.

"I am also increasing protections for renters – six month notice periods must be given to tenants, supporting renters over winter. However, it is right that the most egregious cases, for example those involving anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse perpetrators, begin to be heard in court again; and so when courts reopen, landlords will once again be able to progress these priority cases."

Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “This eleventh hour U-turn was necessary, but such a brief extension means there is a real risk that this will simply give renters a few more weeks to pack their bags.

“Boris Johnson has been warned for months about the looming evictions crisis, but stuck his head in the sand. People living in rented accommodation should not be paying the price for this Government’s incompetence.

“Section 21 evictions must be scrapped and renters must be given proper support. The ban should not be lifted until the government has a credible plan to ensure that no-one loses their home as a result of coronavirus.”