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The Northern Irish government has announced plans to introduce legislation extending the minimum eviction notice period for private renters.
The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill 2020 will increase the warning that private landlords must give tenants before seeking a court possession order from eight weeks to 12.
Communities minister Deirdre Hargey said the move would provide renters with extra protections during the coronavirus crisis.
It mirrors steps taken by the Westminster government, which was criticised by campaigners for only extending notice periods having previously promised a “complete ban” on evictions.
Courts in Northern Ireland are now also only listing urgent matters, with evictions not considered to be part of this category.
Housing associations and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive have pledged not to evict anyone struggling to pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tenants in the private rented sector must be protected from eviction so they can protect their health and the health of their families,” said Ms Hargey.
“The legislation I am introducing will further strengthen the protections in place for private renters, as it will make sure that no tenant is evicted because of inability to pay rent during this period of economic disruption.”
The minister hopes to introduce the bill to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 21 April, with the Communities Committee agreeing that its passage to the statute book should be fast-tracked.
Ms Hargey said landlords should not push ahead with evictions in the meantime.
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