You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Northern Ireland extends renter protections until March 2021
The Northern Ireland Executive has announced it is extending provisions put in place to protect private renters from eviction during the coronavirus crisis until March next year.
Communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín announced yesterday the government’s intention to extend the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Act, which requires landlords to give tenants 12 week’ notice before beginning court proceedings.
Mr Ní Chuilín said: “The act was put in place in April to protect tenants from eviction and originally was set to last until the end of September 2020.
“Having reviewed this, and given the need to prepare for a possible second wave of the virus and as the various additional economic supports such as the furlough scheme wind down in the autumn, I have decided it is necessary to extend the emergency period.
“This is emergency legislation and will not be in place for any longer than is necessary but I am committed to protecting our citizens at this time, and having a safe place to call home is so central to personal and public health.
READ MORE
“I am therefore asking tenants to ensure they keep communicating with their landlord and discuss any issues they are facing around making payments.
“I would also encourage landlords not to commence or continue possession proceedings during this challenging time without a very good reason to do so. It is essential that we work together during these uncertain times to keep each other safe.”
The move follows an announcement from the Scottish government last week that it also plans to extend its renter protections until March next year. In Scotland, landlords currently have to give six months’ notice for arrears cases and three months for anti-social behaviour cases.
The Welsh government has also legislated that landlords must give six months’ notice before pursuing evictions in the court, however these rules are currently due to expire at the end of September.
The ban on possession proceedings, which has essentially paused all possession cases in England and Wales, will be lifted on Sunday.
