Changes to Notice Periods One Week on
Friday afternoon on the 4th September was a bit strange. Why? The two previous Fridays the Housing Secretary made announcements which were extremely important and had an impact on businesses across England.
It is difficult to understand why these pivotal announcements are made late Friday afternoon, one of which was the Friday before a bank holiday weekend. Would it make any difference if it were a Monday or a Wednesday? May be, may be not, however, it is important to understand that these changes require a certain element of “change management”. It is not a simple as swapping one document for another, there are quite critical points to consider.
1. Understanding the “Why” behind these changes - cynics, conspiracies, anti-landlord bodies, we have read about the aforementioned over and over again. However, we must look at things from a different perspective - public health and homelessness. We know what we have witnessed and experienced to date, therefore the Government are thinking “worse case scenario” and the possibility of a second-wave over the winter months. Where will that leave housing provision and homelessness? Many people understand that the Government does not want another overwhelming burden as a result of Covid-19, however, the Government have not factored into the equation the impact of these changes on landlords.
Has Society really changed Six Months on from Lockdown?
Pre-lockdown, which seems light years away, we were told that the norm for society across the globe was one of self-centred and egotistical behaviours. People were more interested in themselves rather than the needs and desires of others. In short, society as we knew it was self-absorbed.
Fast forward six months and life as we know has changed dramatically. We have been exposed to the unknown quantity that is a Pandemic. The words “unprecedented” , translated across the globe - “sans précédent” “isiyokuwa ya kawaida”, “senza precedenti”, “sin precedentess”, “Zenrei no nai”, “ongekend” - to become one of the most commonly used words to describe Covid-19 and the impact that it created worldwide. We witnessed pain, anguish, tragedy and sorrow as the virus impacted many many lives. However, we also witnessed human behaviour at it’s best - altruism.
The presence of altruistic tendencies are motivated by a desire to benefit someone other than oneself, often for the benefit of another person. Altruism is often used as the opposite of “selfish” or “egoistical” nature, the opposite of the person who is driven by their own motives, pushing aside the interests of anyone around them.
Government has changed the law so most renters have a 6 month notice period
Last week the Government announced that notice periods for section 8 and section 21 notices would change.
This afternoon, the Government has announced that legislation has now been introduced, so landlords must now give tenants 6 months’ notice before they can evict until March 2021, except in the most serious of cases, such as incidents of anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse perpetrators.
The stay on possession proceedings has been extended until 20 September, meaning that in total no tenant can have been legally evicted for 6 months at the height of the pandemic.
The package of support for renters includes the extension of notice periods and the extension to the stay on possession proceedings. For the most egregious cases, notice periods have returned to their pre-coronavirus levels, and landlords will be able to progress serious rent arrears cases more quickly.
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The government is also helping landlords affected by the worst cases to seek possession; these are:
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anti-social behaviour (now 4 weeks’ notice)
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domestic abuse (now 2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
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false statement (now 2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
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over 6 months’ accumulated rent arrears (now 4 weeks’ notice)
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breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ (now 3 months’ notice)
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Prime Minister announces stronger enforcement measures as easements resume
Press Release - 13th August 2020
The Government has announced a series of tough new enforcement measures targeting the most serious breaches of social distancing restrictions.
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Fines will double to a maximum of £3,200 for those who repeatedly flout face covering rules
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New fines to be introduced for people hosting raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people
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Bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos to reopen for the first time as well as indoor play and soft play centres which comply with new Covid-19 Secure guidelines
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Beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas, barbers across England will be able to offer all close contact services and treatments
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Wedding receptions for up to 30 people to resume – and indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will recommence
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Sports and business events pilots to resume
The Government has announced a series of tough new enforcement measures targeting the most serious breaches of social distancing restrictions.