CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Emergency laws have been introduced in Wales to protect tenants from eviction for a temporary period.
From 29 September 2020, most tenants in Wales are entitled to 6 months’ notice before their landlord can start court action to evict them. This includes :
- assured shorthold tenants
- assured tenants
- regulated tenants
- secure council tenants
- introductory tenants
- demoted tenants.
You could be given a shorter notice in some cases. For example if you’re facing eviction for antisocial behaviour.
What if I received a notice from my landlord before the 29 September 2020?
- Most private or housing association tenants who got an eviction notice between 26 March 2020 and 23 July 2020 were entitled to 3 months’ notice
- Most private or housing association tenants who get an eviction notice between 24 July 2020 and 28 September 2020 were entitled to 6 months’ notice
- Most council tenants who got an eviction notice between 26 March 2020 and 28 September 2020 were entitled to 3 months’ notice.
What if my landlord has already started court proceedings to evict me?
Some court cases were put on hold between March and August 2020. If your landlord started court proceedings before 3 August 2020 but has not yet obtained a possession order they will need to send a notice to you and to the court to re-start the case. This is called a ‘Reactivation Notice’. In the notice they must give information to the court about the impact coronavirus has had on you and your family.
You will be contacted by the court if this happens and you will be told if there is to be a court hearing. The hearing might be dealt with by video or audio link.
You should still pay your rent while you are waiting to be contacted by the court. Make sure you tell your landlord about the affect that coronavirus has had on you and your family. Do this in an email or text and keep a copy so that you can show this to the court if asked.
Can I be evicted during the pandemic?
Courts are open to deal with repossession hearings but bailiffs are NOT currently able to carry out evictions, except in limited circumstances.
This means that even if your landlord has obtained a possession order from the court, bailiffs will not currently be able to evict you from your home.
There are some exceptions, including cases of anti-social behaviour, trespass or domestic violence.