With lockdown restrictions easing even further on May 17th what is blooming in the Residential Lettings Market?
Eviction Ban Ending.
From the 1st June 2021 the eviction ban will be eased. Notice periods will not be quite pre COVID levels but are reduced as follows....
- Section 21 notices will be reduced from 6 months to 4 months.
- The current ban on bailiff-enforced evictions, introduced as an emergency measure during lockdown, will end on May 31.
All other notice periods for serious breaches such as Domestic Violence and Anti Social Behaviour will remain at their current lower levels.
Housing Minister Chris Pincher says: "Subject to the public health advice and progress with the Roadmap, notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from October 1.
Will Section 21 Notices be abolished?
David Smith, a leading property lawyer, believes the Governments stance on this is somewhat weaker than first believed.
Smith, a partner at JMW Solicitors, says: “There is no commitment to publish a bill to abolish s21 notices and given that bills were being promised in both the Spring and Autumn of 2021 that is very telling.
Instead, the government has now committed itself to finally publish its response to the original consultation on getting rid of s21 - a response which it has never in fact published.
“That is a very much weaker offer. Almost as if there is a desire to distract from this there is, mainly repeated, talk of ‘lifetime’ deposits and landlord redress schemes. There is also a statement that the government will ‘explore the merits of a landlord register’.
“This seems to me like a textbook example of kicking s21 reform into the long grass. It is clear nothing will be happening in that regard for at least a year, and possibly far longer.
“So I very much disagree with the suggestions that this means the government is still highly committed to reform. Agents and landlords will be cheering at this while tenant groups will, with some cause given the expectations that government casually gave to them, be furious.”
A Personal Opinion.
PPM has your back. It is now more important than ever that your agent has a handle on the ever changing legislation and also has a voice that truly represents the interests of its Landlords.
Fundamentals on choosing an agent are even more important than ever. Are they members of a recognised body such as ARLA PropertyMark or The Property Ombudsman? (PPM are members of both) Do they have Client Money Protection in place? (PPM are protected by Money Shield)
If you would like to learn more about PPM's services and how they can benefit you as a Landlord and save you money then please call, email or click on the website.
