Guidance for landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors to explain the possession action process in the county courts in England and Wales has been updated.

The latest advice reflects the fact that notice periods in England have, from 1 October 2021, reverted to their pre-Covid lengths.

The revised guidance can viewed here. 

Mark Hayward, chief policy advisor at Propertymark, said: “Letting agents and landlords have worked hard to maintain tenancies throughout the pandemic.”

Hayward, like most property professionals, is pleased that notice periods have returned to pre-Covid lengths in England from 1 October 2021, but says that more support is needed for both landords and struggling tenants.

He said: “Looking ahead there is still a hangover from the court suspension which means that some tenants have been able to rack up months of arrears with no action and some landlords have sold properties due to a busy sales market because of the stamp duty holiday.

“As future reforms are considered for the private rented sector, the UK government must now reflect on the last 18 months and implement policies that support letting agents and landlords to continue to house the nation.”