Coronavirus – Legislation Proposed Which Will Protect Tenants From Eviction

The Government has proposed new emergency legislation which would protect residential tenants (in social and rented accommodation), who have been affected by the coronavirus, from being evicted from their properties.

New laws, hoped to be rolled out in the very near future, would ban landlords from being able to evict tenants, who are unable to pay their rent as a result of the pandemic, for at least three months. Should the legislation pass and come into force, tenants will be protected until mid-June.

Along with other recent provisions which have been rolled out by the Government, including the closure of schools, ministers have also confirmed that the three-month mortgage holiday will be extended to landlords who have tenants experiencing difficulties paying their rent as a result of the coronavirus.

This measure is aimed to help landlords who are concerned about making their mortgage payments on time and should also mean that they do not put any unnecessary pressure on their tenants.

Landlords and tenants working together

The measures under consideration are designed to get both landlords and tenants working together, whereby the landlord is taking into consideration the tenants circumstances when agreeing a repayment plan at the end of the three month period.

Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, commented on the proposed legislation:

“The government is clear – no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord face unmanageable debts.

“These are extraordinary times and renters and landlords alike are of course worried about paying their rent and mortgage. Which is why we are urgently introducing emergency legislation to protect tenants in social and private accommodation from an eviction process being started.

“These changes will protect all renters and private landlords ensuring everyone gets the support they need at this very difficult time.”

Additionally, it is being reported that the Government are looking to ensure that pre-action protocol includes tenants, so that they and landlords can resolve any disputes more amicably. Pre-action protocol is the process in which steps are taken before a claim goes to the Courtroom.