Eviction notice periods slashed from six months to four from June putting thousands of renters at risk

EVICTION notice periods will be slashed from six months to four from June, the government has announced.

It means Brits will have two months less to find a new place to live if their landlord wants them out, putting thousands of renters at risk.

The government has cut eviction notice periods, putting thousands of renters at riskCredit: Getty

The eviction ban, which has been in place since March last year, will also not be extended beyond the May 31 deadline.

Bailiffs cannot carry out repossessions except in extreme circumstances – but they will be allowed to do so once more from the end of the month.

This is unless anyone living in the property has Covid symptoms or is self-isolating.

Since August, landlords have had to give tenants six months notice before evicting them as part of an emergency measure to protect Brits during the pandemic.

But this will be cut to four from June 1.

From August 1, landlords will also be allowed to give tenants an eviction notice of just two months if they owe four or more months of rent.

Renters must be given 14 days notice before an eviction notice is served, so no evictions will take place before mid-June, the government has said – expect for the “most serious circumstances”.

These circumstances are:

Antisocial behaviour – which means tenants can be evicted immediately
Domestic abuse – requiring two to four weeks notice
Breach of immigration rules – requiring two weeks notice

Housing minister Christopher Pincher  said: “From the beginning of the pandemic, we have taken unprecedented action to protect renters and help keep them in their homes.

“As Covid restrictions are eased in line with the Roadmap out of lockdown, we will ensure tenants continue to be supported with longer notice periods, while also balancing the need for landlords to access justice.

“Crucial financial support also remains in place including the furlough scheme and uplift to Universal Credit.” 