The Government has announced that its eviction ban, which came into force in April 2020, will be extended just days before it was due to come to an end.
The ban has been extended to at least February 21st according to the Government.
Boris Johnson told MPs in the Commons on Wednesday that the eviction ban was under review, and with a third lockdown imposed upon the country, it was almost inevitable that the Government would choose to extend the ban which came into force during the first lockdown.
Although eviction notices will still be able to go through courts and be approved, bailiffs will not be able to enforce the evictions except in extreme cases such as anti-social behaviour.
The eyes of the nation were on Johnson to extend the ban after Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced that the ban would extended in Scotland yesterday afternoon.
Scottish Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart, said:
“Extending the temporary ban on the enforcement of eviction orders in the private and social rented sectors…will support tenants, and offer people protection from transmission of the virus by being able to stay safe in their homes.
“It will also prevent additional burdens being placed on health and housing services during a time where they are already working hard due to the impact of the pandemic. This is a proportionate response to an extremely challenging set of circumstances.”
