Answering a number of questions on parliament, Lord Greenhalgh, a Minister at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has said that from the 24th August, “the courts will begin to process possession cases again”.

Protection for Landlords

Following a five-month pause in hearings, the Minister stated this would be “an important step towards ending the lockdown and will protect landlords’ important right to regain their property.” The Minister also stated that as part of the Renters Reform Bill, Landlords who have a legitimate case to make regarding the repossession of their property under a Section 21 Notice, will be able to do so.

Ben Beadle

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “The Minister’s comments provide greater certainty for the rental market. We continue to work hard with landlords and tenants to sustain tenancies wherever possible. In the vast majority of cases this is happening"

Mr Beadle went on to say; "It is vital however that swift action can be taken against those tenants committing anti-social behaviour or domestic violence. We are calling also for priority to be given to cases where possession orders were granted prior to lockdown or where rent arrears have nothing to do with the Covid pandemic.”

These words followed sharp criticisms made by The National Landlords Association that the eviction ban was counter this issue raised by the then Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove, who last year warned that “victims of anti-social behaviour are being let down by police, local councils and housing providers.”  

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government stated:

“The Government has taken unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic and  there will have been no evictions for five months. We are working with the judiciary to ensure that, as far as practicable, arrangements are in place to give appropriate protections for those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus when proceedings start again.