Christmas truce on evictions

Tenants in England will once again be protected from bailiff-enforced evictions over the Christmas period.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has confirmed that no evictions will be scheduled between 13 December and 10 January, except in the most serious circumstances such as domestic abuse. Scottish and Welsh courts are expected to make similar announcements.

The government announced a formal Christmas evictions truce for the first time last September. At the time, other restrictions on evictions were already in place, including a six-month notice period. With the eviction process now back to pre-pandemic normal, it was uncertain whether or not another one would be announced for 2021-22.

In practice, though, the truce is nothing new, even if the announcement is. Courts have generally avoided scheduling evictions around Christmas and New Year since before the pandemic. 

Other agent headlines

Reviews site names the UK’s top-rated agents – Property Industry Eye

‘Thousands’ of former workers to sue online estate agents – This Is Money

Agents change working hours to encourage staff wellbeing – Letting Agent Today