The Coronavirus Act 2020 contains a number of measures to assist both tenants and landlords affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tenants
- The government’s measures do not include a rent ‘holiday’ or specify that landlords must offer a reduction in rent during the Covid-19 pandemic, and rent will continue to be payable in accordance with the terms of the lease;
- Tenants who are struggling to pay their rent are encouraged to speak to their landlord in the first instance. Help may also be available through Universal Credit;
- Residential tenants will receive a minimum of three months’ notice if the landlord intends to seek possession of their property. This applies to notices issued on or after 26 March 2020 and will continue in place until at least 30 September 2020;
- All ongoing house repossession cases have been suspended by the courts from 27 March 2020. The suspension period will initially be for 90 days.
Landlords
- The three-month mortgage holiday agreed by lenders includes landlords with buy-to-let mortgages. Landlords are advised to speak to their lender;
- Landlords’ obligations to keep properties in good order have not changed, and essential repairs to enable tenants to live safely should still be carried out. These could include repairing a leaking roof, mending a broken boiler or replacing/repairing white goods.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with your usual Newby Castleman LLP contact.