Coronavirus: the lockdown laws
This Library briefing paper explains the types of coronavirus restrictions and requirements imposed by the UK's lockdown laws.

This briefing paper explains measures taken by the Government during the coronavirus outbreak to assist households in the rented sector to retain their homes. The paper covers the introduction of extended notice periods and the end of the ban on evictions in England and Wales from 20 September 2020. It has been updated in light of the extended ban on enforcing eviction orders in England up to 31 March 2021.
Coronavirus: Support for landlords and tenants (1 MB, PDF)
The coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has had significant implications for households’ ability to retain their homes, particularly those who are renting. In response, the Government introduced a series of housing support measures, some of which have been amended and extended since March 2020:
Having welcomed the Government’s commitment to introduce a “complete ban on evictions”, following publication of amendments to the Coronavirus Bill several commentators said the changes fell short of the initial commitment. However, the suspension of ongoing housing possession action from 27 March was acknowledged as a significant step in providing security of tenure for most tenants in England and Wales during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities (updated January 2021) and the Welsh Government has a series of guidance notes under the heading Renting a home: coronavirus.
The Scottish Government legislated to strengthen tenants’ security of tenure and a legislation passed by the NI Assembly applied a 12-week notice to quit period to all tenancies. The measures in both Scotland and Northern Ireland have been extended, with some changes, and are now due to expire on 31 March 2021. The Scottish Government has published Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for private landlords and letting agents (updated January 2021) and in Northern Ireland there is COVID-19 Guidance for Private Rented Sector Landlords and Tenants (September 2020).
The end of the suspension on eviction action in England and Wales on 20 September 2020 led commentators to ask questions about the implications for landlords and tenants. Homelessness charities and tenant bodies warn of a potential surge in evictions and homelessness when longer notice periods end in March 2021.
There were calls to use the extension on the eviction ban for 4 weeks to 20 September to introduce more protections for those facing financial difficulties. As time has passed, evidence to suggest that tenants are amassing substantial arrears has mounted. Several bodies representing the interests of landlords, tenants and homeless households joined forces in January 2021 to call for “an urgent package to help renters in paying off arrears built since March last year” on the basis that:
Without further action, debts will continue to mount, making it far more difficult to sustain tenancies and keep renters in their homes after the pandemic.
Research by the Resolution Foundation (February 2021) estimates that rates of arrears across all tenures were “at least twice the level of arrears observed going into the crisis” by January 2021. The Foundation estimates that over 750,000 families were behind with their housing payments in January 2021, 300,000 of which contained dependent children. This would have implications for local housing authorities should arrears translate into evictions and homelessness over 2021.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee published the interim report of its inquiry to assess the impact of the coronavirus crisis on homelessness, rough sleeping and the private rented sector on 22 May 2020. The report urged the Government to take steps to protect renters, including:
The Government’s response to the Committee was published on 25 June 2020. The Committee issued a further call for evidence on 16 October 2020 covering the following issues:
Submissions were invited up to 27 November 2020; the inquiry is ongoing.
Other relevant Library papers
Assistance available for homeowners, including mortgage holidays and a moratorium on possession actions, is covered in the Library briefing paper: Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions (England). There is also a paper on assistance for rough sleepers: Coronavirus: Support for rough sleepers (England).
Coronavirus: Support for landlords and tenants (1 MB, PDF)
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