Measures to protect private tenants in Northern Ireland from eviction extended to 31 March 2021

New statutory rule extends period in which landlords are required to give 12 weeks notice to quit that was due to expire on 30 September 2020

New regulations have been issued in Northern Ireland in relation to the temporary extension of the notice to quit period for private tenants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In force from 29 September 2020, the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (SR.No.192/2020) amend section 1(2)(b) of the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Act (Northern Ireland) 2020 to extend the period where landlords are required to provide private tenants with a 12-week notice to quit period before seeking a court order to begin proceedings to evict from 30 September 2020 to 31 March 2021.

NB - the explanatory memorandum to the regulations advises that the period of extension will be subject to review and may be shortened -

'The Department has the option to extend the emergency period up to 5 May 2022. Therefore to extend for six months would seem prudent in order to better understand both the public health and economic situation as it develops in late 2020 and early 2021. It should be noted that the Department can shorten the period. Officials will carry out a review of the situation and consultation in January 2021, ahead of the end of the extension. New regulations have been issued in Northern Ireland in relation to the temporary extension of the notice to quit period for private tenants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.'

SR.No.192/2020 is available from legisalation.gov.uk