The last 18 months plus have been difficult for everyone, not least on tenants who have lost their jobs, but also the burden placed on Landlords, particularly those with small portfolios or those incidental Landlords with only one rental property.
Some Landlords have found the economic shock of the pandemic to be extremely difficult. This coupled with their inability to remove tenants in serious rent arrears for a lengthy period has exacerbated the problem.
There is good news on the horizon! For those Landlords who have been facing difficulties, the 1st October 2021 will herald in a set of new notice periods. Whilst these periods are new, they are effectively reverting to their pre-pandemic levels.
Section 21 Notices will now only require 2 months to elapse prior to the issuance of possession proceedings.
For Landlords relying on Section 8, most notably mandatory grounds 8 for serious rent arrear, the period will return to 2 weeks. This is in stark contrast to the current situation where a Landlord has to wait 2 months where the arrears are less than 4 months or 4 weeks where the arrears are at least 4 months.
Parliament has left open the possibility of amending these notice periods until 25 March 2022. We hope that there isn’t a need over the Autumn and Winter to bring in a change. We will update you further if we hear anything.
Landlords also need to be aware that from 1st October 2021 a new Section 8 Notice (Form 3) will be published, along with a new Section 21 Notice (Form 6A, for England). Landlords need to ensure that they use the correct forms from this date. If you are unsure, then do not hesitate to get in contact with us on 01527357775 or advice@landlordsolicitors.com
For further information on the statutory instrument that has amended the time limits, please visit this site: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/994/contents/made
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