New Courts to Tackle Backlog of Evictions

Lord Chancellor Unveils Plans for Ten 'Nightingale Courts'

On 19 July the Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, announced that ten ‘Nightingale Courts’ would be set up rapidly to help deal with the backlog of evictions proceedings. With court services having been suspended from March for all ongoing housing possession action in England and Wales due to the coronavirus, the industry has been expressing increasing concern at the significant backlog in the Courts.

On 22 July, it was announced that possession proceedings would recommence from 23 August and MP Christopher Pincher, whilst recognising that the prioritisation of cases is the job of the judiciary, expressed his belief that it is important that serious and antisocial cases be heard as soon as possible.

Two of the new Courts will be located in London and other measures are also being put into place to ease the pressure on the court system, including longer opening hours in order to increase the number of cases that can be heard in a day and continuing to use video technology to hear cases where appropriate.

Through our considerate and professional dealing with our tenants, we have a great track record of keeping our landlords up-to-date with their rent payments.

To work with us - and help avoid the build-up of arrears that can lead to a lengthy eviction proceeding - contact us now.

Government Extends Eviction Ban

Support for Tenants and Landlords Extended until 23 August - Update

As preparations begin for the easing of lockdown across England, the government have also recognised that tenants and landlords continue to require support in these extraordinary times.

It was announced yesterday that the three month suspension currently in place on all new eviction proceedings will be extended for a further two months.

The two month extension will come into force on 25 June, when the previous three month extension, originally announced in March, was due to expire. The mortgage payment holiday offered to landlords has also been granted the same extension.

It is expected that new eviction hearings will be heard by the courts starting from the end of August.

If your tenants have been financially affected by the coronavirus and unable to pay their rent, reach out and contact us. We’ve been successfully helping our landlords to manage their tenants and properties throughout this difficult period and you will find all the information and support that you need when you call us.

Full details on the two month extension are available through the link below.

Further Details on Current Eviction Ban

Government Guidance Published Regarding Support for Tenants and Landlords

Further to the announcement last week of the suspension of new Section 21 notices being heard by the courts, detailed guidance of the halt to eviction proceedings is now available.

Effective from 26 March 2020, landlords wishing to serve notice to end existing tenancy agreements will have to give 3 months notice. Effectively, this will mean that landlords seeking to commence court proceedings for evictions will not be able to do so until after 30 September.

The guidance goes on to state that effective 27 March 2020, the courts will suspend all ongoing housing possession actions. For example, if you have already served a Section 21 notice to your tenant, this will not progress in the system towards an eviction for at least the next 90 days.

The published guidelines are available to read in detail through the link below.

Government Announces Ban on Evictions

Emergency Legislation Brought in to Support Tenants and Landlords

In light of the current national health crisis, the government announced yesterday that emergency legislation will be brought in to protect tenants in private rented and social housing accommodation in England and Wales from being evicted due to loss of earnings during the crisis. 

This means that no new possession proceedings (Section 21 Notices) will be heard in the courts in this period. This would suggest, however, that if you have already served a possession order through the courts, these proceedings will go ahead. 

The government has also recognised the pressure that the non-payment of rent could place on landlords and as part of the emergency legislation has also confirmed a 3 month mortgage payment holiday. The protection will apply to landlords whose tenants are facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus.

The full announcement is available via the link below.

Section 21 Changes

Section 21 Changes - Discussion

The potential change in the Housing Act could mean more security for tenants. This discussion features the possible impacts this will have on tenants and landlords highlighting the type of notices to be used to end a tenancy.

As tenants as well as landlords, we are thinking positively and always look forward to a tenant renewing their tenancy and staying for longer. If this is the outcome then things are looking up. See the full discussion via the link below.