Court approved evictions will not be taking place in large parts of England after bailiffs were told to not enter residential properties in areas covered by COVID-19 restrictions.
Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland has written to the High Court Enforcement Officers Association clarifying that evictions should only be enforced in areas subject to the lowest Tier 1 restrictions. This means millions of tenants in large parts of the north west, north east, the midlands and London will be secure in their homes.
Back in September, the Government instructed bailiffs not to carry out evictions in areas where local lockdown measures were in place. Additionally it requested bailiffs to not enforce evictions anywhere in England for a one-month period over Christmas.
Under the new restrictions announced in late October, county courts will still be able to hear possession cases but their bailiffs will be prevented from enforcing eviction orders in areas within Tier 2 or Tier 3. Tenants who have accrued more than six months’ of rent arrears or who are being evicted for antisocial behaviour, are exempt from the evictions ban.
Andrew Wilson, chairman of the HCEOA, said Mr Buckland’s instructions were “in line with the interpretation of the guidance that our members had already taken”, but added that “it is very useful to have it confirmed in writing”.
By Patrick Mooney, Editor