The ban, which had been due to end on 25 June, applies to commercial and residential tenants in England and Wales. Announcing the extension last week, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘Eviction hearings will not be heard in courts until the end of August and no one will be evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.
‘We are also working with the judiciary on proposals to ensure that when evictions proceedings do recommence, arrangements, including rules, are in place to assist the court in giving appropriate protections for those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus―including those tenants who have been shielding.’
Property lawyer Mark Steggles, partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore, said: ‘The extension comes as little surprise given the lockdown provisions that remain in place, but the can that is being kicked down the road is getting heavier.
‘Significant rent arrears are accruing that some tenants have no realistic means of paying back and landlords are becoming less understanding as time marches on. Without reform to the eviction process that balances the interests of landlords and tenants during this period of extension, the courts are going to be overloaded with possession and debt claims in the autumn meaning that tenants will still be evicted―it is just a question of when and how much debt is racked up in the interim.’
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