Eviction Freeze Ends 31 May 2021

Through most of COVID, the Government has activated a freeze on evictions. This meant that eviction notices couldn't be served and landlords needed to give 6 months notice of their intention to evict in most circumstances. That freeze came to an end on 31 May 2021.  This is likely to particularly affect families in private rented accommodation. 

Camden is offering support to any tenant who rents in Camden and has received a notice or if they have been told by their landlord that they need to leave. This includes:

• support to prevent you from becoming homeless
• advice about your rights as a private renter
• talking to your landlord or letting agent on your behalf
• advice on the financial support available to you.

Visit: https://www.camden.gov.uk/at-risk-of-being-homeless  or call us on 020 7974 5801 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) for more information and to access support.

and see the Camden advice for private renters here

https://www.camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-tenant-information-and-guidance

 

You can find general advice for people at risk of eviction on the Shelter website here

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus#title-1

 

You can find legal advice services for people at risk of eviction in the Advice section here https://ascpractice.camden.gov.uk/early-help-guide/family-early-help-covid-guidebook/legal-debt-welfare-and-other-advice/ 

 

You can find the updated Government guidance for landlords and tenants here (updated 17 May 2021)

here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-landlords-and-tenants#notices-seeking-possession

 

Vicars Relief Fund for Rent Arrears

The Vicars Relief Fund provides grants to help people who are homeless or at risk or homelessness to access accommodation or to prevent evictions, including

• accessing accommodation - a deposit, rent in advance, ID or temporary B & B accommodation
• preventing evictions - rent arrears, service charge arrears, debt relief order or bankruptcy fees

You can find more about the Vicars Relief Fund here

https://smitf.flexigrant.com/

and an FAQs here https://www.frontlinenetwork.org.uk/vicars-relief-fund/faq/

 

 

 

OLD ADVICE LEFT HERE FOR INFORMATION ONLY

Eviction Freeze has Ended (September 2020)

The temporary freeze on evictions ended on 20 September 2020. This is likely to particularly affect families living in private rented accommodation.

The Government's Coronavirus Act 2020 has also been amended so that from 29 August 2020, landlords must provide six months’ notice to their tenants in most circumstances. However, there are some serious cases where landlords are able to start progressing within a shorter time frame. 

 

The government has made new provision to prevent renter evictions during COVID.  

This includes a requirement for landlords to give 3 months notice if they intend to seek possession and a suspension of all current ongoing housing possession in the courts.  This applies to social housing and the private rented sector.

On 5 June 2020, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick  said that the government would extend the suspension of new evictions from social and private rented homes until 23 August 2020. This was extended again to 20 September 2020. 

 Info here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-support-available-for-landlords-and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak 

Please contact the family's housing provider direct if there are eviction issues.  

This is the advice that was published in the Camden New Journal insert on support for people living in a private rented property: