Extension to stay on possession action announced

Following Coronavirus legislation, which imposed a stay on possession claims, it had previously announced that these would be able to resume from 24 August 2020.  However, in a last minute U-turn there has been a further extension on the stay.  On Friday 21 August,  it was announced that the stay will remain in place for a further 4 weeks, until 20 September.  A new practice direction had already been put in place setting out the procedure for "reactivating" stayed claims.

The housing minister also announced that:

• the government intends to give tenants greater protection from eviction over the winter by requiring landlords to provide tenants with 6 months notice in all, bar those cases raising other serious issues such as ASB and involving domestic abuse, until at least the end of March
• when court proceedings resume, the most serious cases will be prioritised, such as ASB and cases where no rent has been paid for over a year
• legislation will be brought to deliver a better deal for renters and a fairer more effective rental market.

The announcement can be read here.

If you need any specific help or advice on your position then please contact Sarah Barratt on 0191 211 7923 or email [email protected]