Government have updated guidance for council landlords and
tenants in response to the Covid-19 pandemic following changes in
lock down rules.
The updated the guidance now reflects the latest advice for
clinically extremely vulnerable (shielding) individuals, advising
that routine repairs and maintenance may take place in their homes
from 1 August 2020.
The latest updated advice also includes the following
additions:
- Advice on the legal remedies available for landlords and
tenants when dealing with anti-social behaviour in rented
properties during this period.
- Advice on the abandonment of properties, reiterating that
tenants must comply with their tenancy notice requirements if they
wish to end their tenancy and advising landlords to ensure they
take appropriate steps to repossess their properties legally.
- Advice that landlords and tenants should consider mediation to
resolve disputes where possible in order to avoid matters going to
court.
- Clarification that landlords still have powers available to
them through the courts to gain access to their properties where a
tenant is not self-isolating or shielding, but persistently
refusing to allow them access to the property.
- Clarification that individuals are permitted, through the
updated Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations, to move into shared
accommodation such as a house in multiple occupation, which may be
occupied by other existing tenants.
The latest updated Covid-19 guidance for landlords, tenants and
local authorities is available on the Government website.