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Scottish government extends eviction ban until end of March
Evictions will not be enforced in Scotland until the end of March, with the Scottish government deciding to extend a ban in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Regulations will be laid in the Scottish parliament next week to extend the current rules, which prevent bailiffs from enforcing eviction notices, until 31 March.
The Scottish government first introduced a ban on eviction notices being enforced on 11 December as part of a Christmas truce, but the rules were initially due to end on 22 January.
Going forward the ban will apply to all evictions in areas subject to Tier 3 or 4 restrictions, except those involving criminal or serious anti-social behaviour, such as domestic abuse.
It comes in the same week Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that all of mainland Scotland will be put in the government’s highest Tier 4 as COVID-19 infections increase rapidly across the country.
The majority of islands are currently under Tier 3 restrictions.
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Scottish ministers have previously extended notice periods to six months for those being evicted for arrears and three months for those being evicted for anti-social behaviour.
The longer notice periods for those in arrears remains in place until the end of March, however notice periods for those being evicted for anti-social behaviour have reverted to one month.
Scottish housing minister Kevin Stewart said extending the regulations that prevent eviction orders being enforced will “offer people protection from transmission of the virus by being able to stay safe in their homes”.
He added: “It will also prevent additional burdens being placed on health and housing services during a time where they are already working hard due to the impact of the pandemic. This is a proportionate response to an extremely challenging set of circumstances.”
Sally Thomas, chief executive at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: “It is absolutely the right thing to do that we look after people’s health and well-being and we protect tenants who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of the financial effects of COVID-19, but it is of paramount importance that our members can act when there are cases of serious anti-social or criminal behaviour.
“We are pleased that the government has kept the exemptions in place for such incidences.”
She said it is “vital that tenants who can pay their rent do so”, adding that rental income “comprises the majority” of the income of housing associations and co-operatives.
Charities in England are calling on the UK government to extend its ban on eviction enforcement, which is currently due to end on 11 January.
The Westminster government previously ordered bailiffs in England not to carry out evictions in Tier 3 or Tier 4 areas, but it is currently unclear what rules apply now that all of England has entered a national lockdown.
Prime minister Boris Johnson told MPs on Wednesday that the situation is “under review”.
