Extension of ban on enforcement of eviction action in Wales to 31 March 2021

New statutory instrument

New regulations have been issued that extend the ban on the enforcement of eviction action in Wales until 31 March 2021 in response to the threat to public health posed by the incidence and spread of Covid-19.

In force from 11 January 2021 and expiring on 31 March 2021, the Public Health (Protection from Eviction) (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 (SI.No.12/2021) re-enact the Public Health (Protection from Eviction) (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.1490/2020) - which came into force on 11 December 2020 and will expire on 11 January 2021 - so as to continue to prevent, except in specified circumstances, attendance at a dwelling-house for the purpose of executing a writ or warrant of possession, executing a writ or warrant of restitution or delivering a notice of eviction.

The specified circumstances are where the court is satisfied that the claim is against trespassers who are persons unknown or where it was made wholly or partly on the grounds of domestic violence, serious offences, anti-social behaviour, nuisance or, in cases where the person attending is satisfied that the dwelling-house is unoccupied at the time of attendance, the death of the occupant.

SI.No.12/2021 is available from legislation.gov.uk

NB - the Welsh Government also confirmed today that the extension of the notice period for evictions to 6 months will also remain in place until 31 March 2021.