The tenant eviction ban has been extended by a further four weeks, which could serve as a frustration for landlords hoping to evict tenants.
The ban on evictions, which was due to expire at the end of this week, has been extended until 20th September.
Habib Khan, solicitor and property disputes specialist at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, said: “The government’s decision to make a U-turn on its eviction ban at such short notice will come as a significant blow for many UK landlords.
“After months of disruption to tenant management activities, the expected end of the ban on Monday will have represented a light at the end of the tunnel and some will have been preparing to progress their cases by serving reactivation notices.
“Until further guidance is issued, landlords will be left in the dark and unable to plan the next steps needed to move their cases through the courts. Rent arrears will continue to mount up and they will also be powerless to address some cases of anti-social behaviour that cannot be resolved any other way.
“Until the position becomes clearer, landlords should liaise with tenants as best as possible to resolve disputes and seek advice regarding other avenues to support tenant management, for example, injunctions for anti-social behaviour issues. However, many may argue that for tenants, government is simply delaying the inevitable.”
The tenant eviction ban was introduced in March. It was originally due to run for three months, but was extended by an additional two in June.
Timothy Douglas, policy and campaigns manager, ARLA Propertymark, said: “Now that the ban on evictions has been extended, the government must use this time to introduce further guidance and prepare the sector.
“It is important to take steps back towards normality so that both landlords and tenants have access to the justice system, while putting measures in place to offer further support to tenants who have built up COVID-related arrears, and this four week extension will give government the time to introduce such measures.”
