Activists’ group Generation Rent says it’s to lobby MPs on Tuesday next week against the return of normal eviction notice periods in England from October.
The group, led by Baroness Alicia Kennedy, has dubbed Tuesday September 14 as “Renters’ Day” and has taken to social media to win support.
On Twitter the group says: “We are meeting with politicians outside Parliament next week. Are you a private renter who would like to attend? Send us a direct message expressing your interest, and we’ll give you the details. It’s time to make private renting better, not worse. #WeCantGoBack.”
Generation Rent, which also leads the Renters Reform Coalition funded by the Nationwide Foundation, is also urging people who oppose the return of normal eviction notice periods in England to email their MPs.
The activists’ campaign has been prompted by a move by the government to reinstate the pre-Covid notice periods for evictions in England from October 1.
Therefore landlords giving notice to evict via either a Section 21 or Section 8 notice will need to give two months’ notice – it will no longer be the six months period required under Coronavirus legislation, which will remain in force until October 1.
But a statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says: “However, we intend to retain the power to implement these measures again in the case that the public health situation worsens and these measures are required again.”
This is a nod to concerns over possible worsening of Covid infections over the winter.
Emergency Coronavirus legislation affecting many aspects of the eviction process has been in force, with minor modifications, since spring 2020 but now the MHCLG says: “While these measures were appropriate at the height of the pandemic, these restrictions could only ever be temporary. Returning notice periods to their pre-COVID lengths from 1 October will allow landlords to repossess their property where necessary.”
* Wales has separate legislation covering notice period lengths and they currently require six months in almost all cases. No announcement has been made on any change to notice periods as yet.
