Government announces that the eviction ban in England is to be extended until ‘at least’ 31 May 2021

Provisions that extend the minimum notice period for eviction of statutory tenants in the private and social rented sectors in England to also remain in force until the end of May 2021

The ban on bailiff evictions in England is be extended for another two months until 'at least' 31 May 2021.

With the current ban due to expire on 31 March 2021, the government announced today that -

'Residential tenants will … be supported as the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions in all but the most serious circumstances - such as incidents of fraud or domestic abuse - and the requirement for landlords to provide 6-month notice periods to tenants before they evict will … be extended until at least 31 May.

This will ensure residents in both the private and social sector can stay in their homes and have enough time to find alternative accommodation or support as we move through the roadmap.'

Following the government's announcement, new regulations have been issued today - the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Residential Tenancies: Protection from Eviction) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021 (SI.No.284/2021) - that provide that the requirement that landlords, in most cases, provide 6-month notice periods to tenants before they evict (as provided for in Schedule 29 to the Coronavirus Act 2020, as modified by SI.No.914/2020) remains in place until 31 May 2021.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said today -

‘It is right that as we move through the roadmap, we ensure that businesses and renters continue to be supported.

We have taken unprecedented action to support both commercial and residential tenants throughout the pandemic - with a £280 billion economic package to keep businesses running and people in jobs and able to meet their outgoings, such as rent.

These measures build on the government’s action to provide financial support as restrictions are lifted over the coming months - extending the furlough scheme, business rates holiday and the universal credit uplift.’

NB - the government added that, taking into account public health advice and the wider roadmap, it will consider the best approach to moving away from the emergency protections from the beginning of June 2021.

For more information, see Further support for commercial and residential tenants from gov.uk