Coronavirus Cases
Deaths
Active Cases
Stats above are for UK only and refreshed daily.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic
Hub for Landlords and Letting Agents
For the latest #StayAlert guidance, please see the.gov coronavirus page here.
Landlord Specific Guidance
Inspections, Repairs and Maintenance
Essential repairs and maintenance should continue during lockdown as long as the occupiers are not self-isolating.
Government guidance specifically allows work to be carried out in peoples homes.
Gas safety inspections should be completed as normal.
The new electrical regulations which apply from 1 April 2021 for all existing tenancies in England continue as normal and the inspection and test report is required.
Fire alarm testing should continue in particular, communal hallways.
Routine periodic inspections simply checking the condition of a property should be avoided (except communal hallways)
Anybody attending works at a persons home must follow the public health guidance.
See the full government guidance about repairs and maintenance here.
Moving Home
Moving home is expressly allowed in the current lockdown (March 2021).
You are free to move home. However, you may find the process of searching for and moving into a new home is different, as property agents, conveyancers and other professionals have modified how they work to reduce the risk from COVID-19.
Please see the government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Tenants should continue to pay rent and abide by all other terms of their tenancy agreement to the best of their ability. The government has made a strong package of financial support available to tenants, and where they can pay the rent as normal, they should do. Tenants who are unable to do so should speak to their landlord at the earliest opportunity.
Source: Guidance for landlords and tenants
There is extensive support available including an uplift of the amount of Universal Credit available.
Mortgage holidays have been extended to 31 March 2021 (at the time of writing).
Possession Notices
In most cases, the length of notice that needs to be given to a tenant has increased to at least six months.
The section 21 notice is at least six months.
The section 8 notice depends on the grounds being used but in most cases it is at least six months. Notable grounds where less than six months may be given include anti-social behaviour or rent arrears of 6 months.
The increased notice lengths are set to expire 31 May 2021 for England and 30 June 2021 for Wales but it’s unclear at this stage what will happen after those dates.
Please see here for length of notices in England.
Please see here for length of notices in Wales.
Please see here for technical guidance.
Possession notices can be downloaded from our website here.
Applying to the Court
After a notice has expired, an application to the court can be made. However, slightly modified rules apply and there will likely be extensive delays in particular with hearings.
Of particular note is the requirement to include with any claim a notice about how the tenant has been affected by Coronavirus (to the best of the landlords knowledge and belief). Where there is to be a hearing, the notice will have to be sent to the tenant beforehand.
For comprehensive guidance on seeking possession, please see this guidance.
Enforcing a Possession Order
At the time of writing, most evictions are banned until at least 31 May 2021. for England and 30 June 2021 for Wales.
There are exceptions including anti-social behaviour (England and Wales) or rent arrears of more than 6 months (England).
From the Website
Coronavirus Bill Now Includes Protection From Eviction
In addition to the announcement by Boris Johnson last night sending the UK effectively into lockdown, the Bill for the coronavirus emergency has been published. The Coronavirus Bill now includes...
Coronavirus Lock Down May Be on the Way for UK
Ahead of the address to the nation at 8.30pm tonight (which we think we all know what is going to be said!), Britain is under threat of a strict lock down after thousands took to parks, beauty spots...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice for Shared House Landlords
If you rent house shares to singles, students or young professionals, what advice are you offering them about dealing with coronavirus? This is an old news article from March...
Coronavirus: Welcome Measures for Wages and Universal Credit
The UK government has announced a huge boost for employees who may be facing loosing their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Today I can announce that, for the first time in our history,...
Coronavirus: Landlords Get Mortgage Help as Evictions Banned
Following our earlier article whilst awaiting further information, it's just been announced that payment holidays will be extended to buy to let mortgages if tenants cannot pay due to the...
Coronavirus: What to Do if Tenants Can’t Pay the Rent
Millions of tenants are likely to see their jobs and incomes decimated by coronavirus as businesses are likely to be ordered to shut up shop to stem the spread of the infection. ...
Useful Links
Understanding the possession action process: A guide for private landlords in England and Wales
Technical guidance on eviction notices
Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
Support available if you are a tenant living in Wales – COVID-19
Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do
Guidance for tradespeople working in people’s homes
Gas Safe Register: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): ADVICE FOR LANDLORDS
Stay at home: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) specific advice
Check if you have coronavirus symptoms (111 NHS service)
Guidance for employers and business
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Universal Credit Landlord Engagement Newsletter
COVID-19: support for businesses
Shelter coronavirus page (includes guidance about inspections and possession)