Given notice on flat but now in lockdown

[crazycadetmum]

My daughter was given 2 months notice on her flat..for her to leave on 30th April. She had viewings booked of this week which she cannot now attend. We emailed the agent to enquire if because of this they would extend the notice period by 3 weeks to give her time to find a new property..they say no they can’t! Any ideas on her rights. On the plus side now she’s not working she has packed nearly everything so she’s good to go as soon as this is over.

Evictions are not allowed right now. Your daughter can stay put. Report agency/landlord if she is hassled.

www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters

Letting agency say that as the notice was given on 1st March that those rules don’t apply!

If she doesn't leave they'd have to issue a section 21 and go to court. These won't be processed for (I think) three months anyway so she can stay put.

Evictions won't be allowed if a tenant is in arrears as a result of coronavirus. However any currently active evictions will take place as they're not directly caused by the pandemic. There is some grey area in that bailiffs may not be operating however.

I hope your DD is able to sort this out, how worrying especially right now

Sorry, I assumed there was a court order in place... If there's not tell her to stay put until there is.

I’d be inclined to send a message along the lines of I’m unable to leave due to CV, i will be willing to pay rent on the additional weeks and keep this amicable.
If they still say no then stay put, they can not evict her atm, evictions halted!

I would get her to get in contact with Shelter. They must be able to give the correct advice.

I think this isn’t as simple as some posters are making out.

Yes she can refuse to leave, yes it would be months before she is formally evicted and the bailiffs turn up, but she’s not going to be renting ever again, due to bad references etc.

I’d also play the cv card and explain she’s willing to pay. However the period she may have to pay for may be extensive if it’s a long term let.

Good call on shelter..we have emailed the letting agents nicely and asked if the clock could stop on the notice for the period of the lockdown but were told No! I’m now hoping they can’t sell the place as they want to and it stays empty and with no income for months but that’s me being mean!

I'm afraid she's going to have to tell a lie here. Say she's self-isolating.

First though i'd speak to Shelter if they're operating still

Try he bad referencing is a red herring, I e never taken a reference on a tenant ever I’m
Too aware that other people’s opinions are rarely without bias. As long as she keeps her credit record clean tell her to stay put. She didn’t plan a world wide pandemic we’re all going to be a bit inconvenienced