The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed that it is to extend the ban on evictions to 20 September and will also introduce six-month long notice periods that will run until 31 March 2021.

The ban, which was announced in March because of the Coronavirus pandemic, is currently due to end on23 August, with some cases due to be heard on Monday 24 August at the newly approved Nightingale courts. It has also been confirmed that once the courts do re-open, only serious cases including those involving anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse will be prioritised.

The further four-week extension, due to end on 20 September, will allow for further work to be done to prepare before the ban is lifted and mean that landlords will continue to be unable to start proceedings to evict tenants.

Agents and landlords should continue to work with tenants who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic and look at all possible options – such as flexible payment plans which take into account a tenant’s individual circumstances – to ensure cases only end up in court as an absolute last resort.