The government has set in motion a Parliamentary procedure meaning the notice periods for evictions in England return to normal from October 1.
Therefore landlords giving notice to evict via either a Section 21 or Section 8 notice will need to give two months’ notice – it will no longer be the six months period required under Coronavirus legislation, which will remain in force until October 1.
But a statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says: “However, we intend to retain the power to implement these measures again in the case that the public health situation worsens and these measures are required again.”
This is a nod to concerns over possible worsening of Covid infections over the winter.
Emergency Coronavirus legislation affecting many aspects of the eviction process has been in force, with minor modifications, since spring 2020 but now the MHCLG says: “While these measures were appropriate at the height of the pandemic, these restrictions could only ever be temporary. Returning notice periods to their pre-COVID lengths from 1 October will allow landlords to repossess their property where necessary.”
Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, says: “We welcome the clarity from government regarding notice periods and the return to a reasonable and fair timescale for landlords to be able to obtain possession of their property where appropriate.
“We feel that recognition should be given to the proven ability of landlords, tenants and agents who during the pandemic have worked together to maintain tenancies.
“When notice periods return to pre-Covid levels we don’t believe there will be any less appetite to sustain those tenancies or that we’ll see a sudden spike in evictions.”
* Wales has separate legislation covering notice period lengths and they currently require six months in almost all cases. No announcement has been made on any change to notice periods as yet.