Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on tenants of the amendment from six months to four months to the minimum Section 21 notice period in England; and what representations he has received from housing charities on that amendment to that notice period.

As we gradually ease restrictions introduced during the coronavirus pandemic, the time is now right to start to lift the emergency measures that were put in place to support renters and landlords. These measures could only ever be temporary. However, we are tapering down protections gradually to minimise the impact on tenants and public services.

The Government has to balance supporting tenants with landlords' ability to exercise their right to justice where needed. Tenants will continue to benefit from longer notice periods, giving them more time to make alternative arrangements. As of 1 June, until at least 30 September, notice periods will be at least 4 months except in the most egregious cases. Bailiffs have been asked not to carry out an eviction if anyone living in the property has Covid-19 symptoms or is self-isolating.

Other protections also remain in place, including new court rules and arrangements that were introduced in September to respond to the pandemic. Courts will continue to carefully prioritise the most serious cases first, such as anti-social behaviour, and the Government is funding a new mediation pilot as part of the court process.

Extensive financial support remains in place to help people meet their outgoings, including the furlough scheme and the Universal Credit uplift, which have both been extended until the end of September.

We regularly meet with key stakeholders across the sector, including housing charities, to ensure they are informed of the latest information and have the opportunity to provide representations.