The following national guidance document for landlords has been updated AGAIN (17th , & 27th Nov ) and you are urged to have a look through to ensure you are up to date on the latest rules etc..

Changes include:

27 November 2020

Guidance updated to reflect the local restriction tier system that will be in place from Wednesday 2 December and to provide more information about how the exemptions to the restriction on bailiff enforcement operate in practice.

27 November 2020

Guidance updated to reflect the local restriction tier system that will be in place from Wednesday 2 December.

17 November 2020

Guidance updated to reflect new legislation to prevent enforcement of evictions in England during the period of national restrictions and over the Christmas.

5 November 2020

Guidance updated to reflect new national restrictions in England from 5 November.

17 September 2020

First published.

The guidance covers two main areas:

·       rent, mortgage payments and possession proceedings, aiming to help both landlords and tenants to understand the implications of the Coronavirus Act 2020.

·       repairs, maintenance and health and safety, aiming to support landlords and tenants in managing property maintenance issues as we move towards the easing of lockdown measures.

Landlords are reminded to check the current guidance if they have either started proceedings to evict tenants or are wanting to start the process.  Landlords and tenants should endeavour to work with local agencies such as the Local Authority Housing teams to prevent eviction. Unfortunately this is not always possible and landlords should ensure they follow the guidance correctly for eviction proceedings.

During national restrictions tradespeople have been able to continue to carry out works provided the visits were undertaken in line with the relevant Covid-19 legislation and in line with public health advice.  No visits should be made if the tenant or anyone else in the home is self-isolating unless it is to remedy a direct risk that affects their safety or the safety of the household. In such cases there is guidance for landlords and contractors to stay safe.

In all cases landlords and tenants should work together to ensure that all parties are satisfied that the guidelines are followed.

Nothing in the Government’s emergency legislation for dealing with Covid-19 excuses landlords from their legal responsibilities. Landlords are still required to provide and maintain safe and decent accommodation, to provide those certificates demanded by law, to abide by their side of the tenancy agreement, including allowing their tenants ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their accommodation. However it is recognised that there may be delays in getting work done due to contractor availability and the need to keep everyone safe.

As some tenants’ finances may be stretched, landlords and letting agents should be particularly mindful of sub-letting and over-crowding, particularly where this would make the property into a House in Multiple Occupation or breach the licence conditions for an existing HMO.  Over-crowding can sometimes be evidenced by excessive amounts of rubbish either dumped in the garden or presented for kerbside collection, although, sadly in some local authority areas bags of household waste are being found fly-tipped which is a blight on the local area. 

Information on the local tier levels can be found on the Gov.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus