Notice periods which were previously extended to 6 months as an emergency measure during the pandemic will now be set at four months from 1st June. The goverment says this will offer tenants continued protection throughout Step 3 and into Step 4, which will begin from 21st June at the earliest.
Subject to the public health advice and progress with the Roadmap, notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from 1st October.
The current ban on bailiff-enforced evictions, introduced as an emergency measure during lockdown, will end on 31st May. Bailiffs have been asked not to carry out an eviction if anyone living in the property has COVID-19 symptoms or is self-isolating.
The goverment also says courts will continue to prioritise the most serious cases, such as those involving fraud or anti-social behaviour, with many of the evictions waiting to be enforced when the ban lifts predating the pandemic.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are being maintained at their increased level in cash terms, and the government has also extended the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit until the end of September.
