Landlord and Tenant Obligations • Contractual and statutory obligations are unaffected • Rent • Deposit Protection Schemes • Gas Safety Inspections • Repair Obligations
Assistance with Paying Rent • Increase in Local Housing Allowance • 30% of the market rents in the local area. • New LHA rates can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2020-to-march-2021 • Discretionary Housing Payments • Other funding available to Local Authorities • Extension of the Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims by Social Landlords
Evictions • Evictions from social and private accommodation suspended. • Coronavirus Act 2020 • Section 81 • Schedule 29 • 26th March 2020-30th September 2020 • Applies to notices seeking possession, notices to quit and section 21 notices. Possession Proceedings • Practice Direction 51Z • Imposes a stay from 27th March 2020 until 25th June 2020. • Part 55 • Amended by the Master of the Rolls on 17th April 2020. • Notices issued pre-26th March are unaffected. • New possession claims can still be issued. • Existing possession orders. • PD 51Z in the Court of Appeal -Arkin v Marshall
Homelessness • Suspension of evictions from NASS accommodation. • Local Authorities urged to accommodate rough sleepers. • New Lettings can go ahead. The Courts • Many court and tribunal buildings remain open. • Remote hearings should be used where possible. • Practice Directions 51Y and 51ZA. • CPR 3.8 • Extensions of time • The impact of the pandemic • Homelessness Appeals • Adjournment applications