The eviction ban is coming to an end this week and for renters at risk it can be a time of uncertainty.

A survey by homelessness charity Shelter suggested that by the end of June more than 170,000 private tenants had been threatened with eviction by their landlord.

The eviction ban that is due to end on Sunday is likely to cause concern for many so the Gazette has put together a summary of what the end of the ban means for tenants. 

What is an eviction ban?

During the first few weeks of lockdown the government announced that landlords, in both the private and social sector, were prohibited from starting eviction proceedings against tenants.

The measure was put in place to help renters in financial difficulty as a results of the coronavirus pandemic.

When is it ending?

This ban is coming to an end on Sunday September 20.

After this date, courts will start to consider claims made by landlords, and evictions will restart

How soon can I be evicted?

The Housing Secretary announced further protection for renters last month.

Landlords now have to give renters a minimum six-month notice period until March 31, 2021.

This means renters will have minimum of half a year to leave their property after an eviction notice is issued.

If there are serious mitigating factors then the six-month rule no loger applies and you can be evicted within four weeks.

Mitigating factors include but are not limited to:

  • Fraud
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Tenant has not paid rent for 6 months or more
  • Domestic abuse (2 week eviction notice)

What is the Christmas truce?

The Government have put a “Christmas truce” in place meaning no evictions will happen in the run-up to, or over, Christmas. This truce does not apply to mitigating circumstances.

Can my landlord evict me?

A private landlord can ask you to move out by issuing a Section 21 or Section 8 notice.

A Section 21 notice does not require a landlords to give a reason for evicting you.

But now landlords who issue a Section 21 must also provide details about how their tenants' circumstances were affected by coronavirus.

A Section 8 notice, means landlords have a reason to evict you.

Where can I get help?

Citizens Advice

Shelter