If you’re a landlord, there may be some uncertainty about what you can and can’t do regarding your tenants during the coronavirus pandemic. Compassion is of the utmost importance at such a difficult time, and so landlords and tenants are advised to work together as much as possible in order to ensure situations remain as mutually beneficial as possible. There may be times where you just reach an impasse, however, and the only option you feel you have as a landlord is eviction.
Can you actually do it, though?

What Can You Do?

You can still evict a tenant during the coronavirus pandemic, but you must now do so in accordance with the Coronavirus Act 2020. As a provision of the Coronavirus Act 2020, landlords are now required to give tenants up to six months’ notice of intended eviction. The act’s terms take precedence over any contract your tenant may have signed with you – so while you can still evict, you must give at least six months’ notice.

There are exemptions to this, however, where a court can determine that you’re able to evict sooner. This includes cases involving domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour, bearing false statement, or in cases where the tenant has accrued arrears that are more than six months’ rent in value.

It’s important to fully check the Government’s landlord and tenant guidance to familiarise yourself with both your rights and your tenant’s rights.

Getting Proper Legal Assistance

If you think you have a case to evict your tenant, it’s important that you find the proper legal representation before doing so. If you push for eviction and it’s found that you have not had justifiable cause to do so, you might end up being the one who has a judgement made against you.

An experienced solicitors, like Bowsers, can help you to better understand the situation you’re in with your client. They can examine the current evidence of the situation and tell you whether or not you have reasonable cause to seek to evict before the six months’ notice period has been served. If that’s not the case, they can help you to serve the eviction in the proper way by giving your tenant appropriate notice as per the Coronavirus Act 2020.

It will ultimately save you time, money, and stress to make sure you do things the right way. If you’re a landlord who wants to evict your tenant, contact Bowsers Solicitors for all necessary legal assistance.

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