Government confirms that courts will begin to process possession cases again from 24 August 2020

Lifting of suspension is an important step towards ending the COVID-19 lockdown and will protect landlords' important right to regain their property, says Housing Minister

The government has confirmed that the courts will begin to process possession cases again from 24 August 2020.

On 5 June 2020, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick had said that -

'Eviction hearings will not be heard in courts until the end of August and no-one will be evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.'

However, in response yesterday to a written ministerial question that asked what provisions will be in place to ensure that private landlords who obtained a possession order prior to the suspension of evictions in March are able to reclaim possession of their properties without further delay, Housing Minister Lord Greenhalgh said -

'From 24 August 2020, the courts will begin to process possession cases again. This is an important step towards ending the lockdown and will protect landlords’ important right to regain their property. Work is underway with the judiciary, legal representatives and the advice sector on arrangements, including new rules, to ensure that judges have all the information necessary to make just decisions and that the most vulnerable tenants can get the help they need when possession cases resume.'

Lord Greenhalgh's written ministerial answer is available from Hansard.