Coronavirus - Changes to possession proceedings

Last updated 1 December 2021 - extended  date for use of the covid knowledge notice

Introduction

Between 20 September 2020 and 1 November 2021 a number of temporary directions were in place to manage the workload of the courts. these included -

• having two possession hearings instead of one before being granted a possession order
• scheduling hearings based on the circumstances of the case rather than the date the claim was made
• covid-marking cases
• reductions in hearings to allow for greater social distancing
• serving a notice on the courts and the tenant detailing what the landlord knows about covid's impact on the tenant

As of 1 November 2021, most of these changes have been brought to an end and cases should, for the most part, proceed as they did prior to the pandemic.

Additional changes to the notice period

Up until September 30 2021, the required notice period for a Section 21 or Section 8 notice were significantly extended. However, from 1 October notice periods have retuurned to their pre-pandemic norms in England.

In Wales, the extended notice periods remain in place. Landlords must give six months notice to their tenants when serving a Section 21 or Section 8 notice, unless they are serving a Section 8 notice and grounds 14 or 7a have been included.

Further information on the changes to notice periods are available on our Section 21 and Section 8 pages.