Legislation protecting tenants from eviction during the Covid-19 pandemic has been extended until March next year.
Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced today that the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Act, which was due to expire at the end of September, will now be available until the end of March next year.
The legislation requires landlords to give tenants a 12-week notice to quit, before seeking a court order to start proceedings to evict them. This is designed to reduce the number of private-sector renters becoming homeless.
The minister said that she has taken the move in order to prepare for the possibility of a second wave of the virus.
Minister Ní Chuilín said: “The Act was put in place in April to protect tenants from eviction and originally was set to last until the end of September 2020. Having reviewed this, and 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.
“This is emergency legislation and will not be in place for any longer than is necessary, but I am committed to protecting our citizens at this time and having a safe place to call home is so central to personal and public health.
“I am therefore asking tenants to ensure they keep communicating with their landlord and discuss any issues they are facing around making payments. I would also encourage landlords not to commence or continue possession proceedings during this challenging time without a very good reason to do so. It is essential that we work together during these uncertain times to keep each other safe.”
A landlord is unable to remove a tenant from a property without a court order.
The Department funds Housing Rights to provide specialist help and advice to both tenants and landlords. They can assist to help resolve disputes and save matters going to court.
Housing Rights can be contacted online at www.housingadviceni.org/coronavirus or by calling 028 9024 5640.
