Northern Ireland extends partial evictions ban over fears of second COVID-19 wave
Northern Ireland has extended its partial ban on evictions by six months over fears of a second wave of coronavirus.
The Northern Ireland executive has extended the evictions ban until 31 March 2021 (picture: Getty)
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Initial measures, which were introduced in April, meant that landlords were required to give 12 weeks’ notice to private renters before seeking a court order to begin eviction proceedings. At the time, a government minister said that in practice this would mean evictions were avoided.
The legislation, the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Act, was due to expire at the end of next month. But this week the Northern Ireland executive extended the measures until 31 March 2021.
It comes as the UK government faces increasing pressure to extend a ban on the eviction of private and social renters in England and Wales. Reports today suggest that the ban, which is set to be lifted this Sunday, could be extended – with caveats around evicting those responsible for anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse.
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Carál Ní Chuilín, Northern Ireland’s communities minister, said that “given the need to prepare for a possible second wave of the virus, and as the various additional economic supports such as the furlough scheme wind down in the autumn, I have decided it is necessary to extend the emergency period”.
She stressed that it is “emergency legislation and will not be in place for any longer than is necessary”.
But she added: “I would also encourage landlords not to commence or continue possession proceedings during this challenging time without a very good reason to do so.”
Scotland also last week extended the timeframe on rules it has in place to protect private renters until next March.
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