The Bailiffs are Back!

eviction, housing, landlord, tenant
Jun 04 | 2021

The Bailiffs are Back!

  The temporary ban on bailiff-led evictions in England has now come to an end. The measure was introduced in March 2020 in recognition of the hardship that many families would be feeling during the Coronavirus pandemic.   Bailiffs will give 2 weeks notice of an eviction date and they will not evict if anybody at the property has:
  • Coronavirus symptoms,
  • tested positive for Coronavirus,
  • been told to self isolate by NHS.
  In such circumstances, the eviction will be rescheduled and you will get another 2 weeks notice.   In 2020, it is estimated that residential evictions fell by approximately 74% due to the protections offered to tenants during the Coronavirus pandemic. However, the ban has not removed the desire from Landlords to reclaim their property; instead it has delayed their ability to do so. Therefore, is it predicted that the courts will now face an ‘eviction avalanche’ and it is still unclear how the legal system will cope with such backlog. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have warned that there are “clear warning signs” of a spike in evictions and homelessness as the ban lifts.   The bailiff ban on bailiff-led evictions was always intended to be temporary, and many landlords have been waiting a long time for it to end. It is important that protection for vulnerable tenants is balanced with the landlord's ability to access justice. We are aware that County Court Bailiffs are in shortage and there has still been no indication as to whether there will be further investment into bailiff recruitment.   At NewBold Solicitors, we can offer advice to both Tenants and Landlords. If you would like to discuss your case with us, please call our dedicated team on 0330 123 1131 or visit our Landlord or Tenant Services pages for further information.   Jake Wesson - Graduate Solicitor - Property Litigation Team  

Housing Enforcement Action Ban

eviction, housing, landlord, tenant
Apr 01 | 2021

Housing Enforcement Action Ban

The ban on enforcement action has now been extended in England until 31st May 2021, and in Wales until 30th May 2021. Understandably the Government(s) have had to make unprecedented decisions and difficult decisions in the last twelve months, however there are increasing concerns from both Housing specialists and Parliamentary committees regarding what will happen when these deadlines end, and how the Courts will cope with a barrage of eviction cases and the effect on Landlords and Tenants.   An estimated 20,000 cases are waiting in the wings to be dealt with, on top of the new cases. This is going to have a significant effect on Court resources, and we are aware that County Court Bailiffs are also in shortage. The Government has not indicated any extra resources towards recruitment of bailiff recruitment, and Landlords are feeling the pressure of trying to cope without their assistance.   The deadline for Landlords to apply for Mortgage Payment Holidays ended on 31st March 2021 and this coupled with the enforcement action deadlines, means a critical number of Tenants are likely to be evicted and made homeless from the middle of 2021, and for some time to come.   At Newbold we can offer advice to both Landlords and Tenants in these situations. We would recommend that these parties start to communicate openly with one another to see if such terms such as rent arrears (if there are any) can be negotiated and / or (for example) any allegations of anti social behaviour being resolved. If you would like to discuss your case with us, please call our dedicated team on 0330 123 1131.   Joanna McBride – Solicitor   More information on the services we can offer to Landlords and Tenants is available via the below links. Landlord Services Tenant Services Free No Obligation advice is available on a number of our services, we can help you decide how best to deal with your case.   Further information on the matter can be found via the Property Reporter.

20% Discount for Blue Light & Defence Discount Service Card Holders

eviction, housing, landlord, power of attorney, wills, conveyancing, tenant
Mar 18 | 2021

20% Discount for Blue Light & Defence Discount Service Card Holders

Do you have Defence Discount Service or Blue Light Card?

As a firm NewBold Solicitors are very proud to support those in our community who work within the emergency services and the armed forces. That is why we have teamed up with Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Service to offer all card holders 20% off our legal fees across our services. We can advise on a number of services including:
  • Property Litigation
  • Landlord Services
  • Tenant Services
  • Wills & Probate
  • Family Law
  • Conveyancing
It has been a difficult year for all of us and especially those working on the front line during the pandemic. We would like to offer our support where we can. If you would like more information on our services please have a look at the services page of our website or call us on 0330 123 1131. We hope to be able to assist you soon. *a valid Blue Light Card or Defence Discount Service card must be presented at the time of instruction for the discount to be applied. Discount for Blue Light & Defence Discount Service Card Holders You are eligible for a Blue Light Card if you are an employed and paid staff member of the following:
  • NHS
  • Police Service
  • Ambulance Service
  • Fire Service
  • HM Prison Service/HMPPS
  • NHS Dental Practice
  • HM Armed Forces
  • MoD Civil Servant
  • MoD Fire Service
  • MoD Police
  • Highways Agency
  • Border Force
  • Immigration Enforcement
  • UK Visas and Immigration
  • HM Coastguard
  • RNLI
  • Search and Rescue
  • 4x4 Response
  • Blood Bikes
  • First Responders
  • St Andrews Ambulance
  • St John Ambulance
  • Social Care
For more information on the cards please visit:

LOCK DOWN AND RENTING

eviction, housing, landlord, conveyancing, tenant
Apr 13 | 2020
CORONA VIRUS AND TENANTS     Many of us are seeing images of a perfect lock down scenario; celebrities playing with their children in perfect gardens, or baking in their contemporary expensive kitchens, but this is sadly not the norm. Most tenants are living in cramp, overcrowded and unsuitable accommodation; they do not have gardens, they do not have the space to enjoy cooking.  3.6 million tenants are living in overcrowding situations and 1.4 million in disrepair.  a quarter of houses in the West Midlands were found unfit for human habitation, yet the Midlands and the North are in the new UK Corona Virus epicentre. Many Local Authorities are continuing to ignore their responsibilities as Landlords and allowing this to continue.  It does not stop due to a lock down. If you are a tenant, you must continue to pay rent, but there is financial and legal help and support available to you; Landlords should offer you solutions during this pandemic.  They should be working with you to resolve your rental problems.  They cannot apply for an eviction order until this pandemic is over, or at least, under control. If you live in cramped, unsuitable, Local Authority Properties, then you do not have to continue to put up with it, you deserve a safe and healthy place to live. If you do not have a housing lawyer who can help tenants with advice and support, then please email housing@newboldsolicitors.com and we may be able to take on your matter under a NO WIN NO FEE policy, offering free telephone advice to give you some guidance and support during this most challenging time. Take the decision to stop living like this and take action.  

COVID-19 - the new regulations on renting

eviction, housing, landlord, tenant
Apr 07 | 2020
The Government has brought in emergency legislation for all Landlords and Tenants in England and Wales. The changes include an extension to the notice period that Landlords must provide to Tenants, an extension to the pre-action protocol rules that a Landlord must adhere to before he/she serves a notice for rent arrears, and additional financial support for both Landlords (with mortgage holidays) and Tenants (with additional benefit allowances). Tenants must continue to pay their rent during the corona pandemic, but Landlords are asked to be flexible during this time.  If a Tenant can evidence that they are waiting for a reply from the benefits agency on an application for financial support, then it is unlikely that the Court will grant the Landlord a possession order. There is currently a moratorium for possession hearings, and once this challenging time has passed, it is likely there will  be a delay with eviction claims being placed before a Court. Due to the change in legislation and this fast moving and fluid situation, it is suggested that you contact an experienced housing, landlord and Tenant

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