This “extended buffer period” will apply from 26 March to 30 September 2020, but both this endpoint and the three-month notice period can be extended if needed. This protection covers most tenants in the private and social rented sectors in England and Wales, all grounds of evictions, and possession of tenancies in the Rent Act 1977, the Housing Act 1985, the Housing Act 1996 and the Housing Act 1988. te

Any rent payable during the Relevant Period remains legally due. Tenants are therefore still liable for their rent during this time and should pay this as usual. If tenants are facing financial hardship and think they will have difficulty making a rental payment, they should speak to our property management team in the first instance.

Mather Marshall has a Rent Guarantee Policy in place for most Landlords. Under the terms of this policy, the rental payment amount must reflect the amount due under the AST Agreement. Accordingly, a reduced payment or payment holiday can only be introduced by way of a new 6 months fixed term tenancy with the tenant.

Reducing the rental value of the property is possible however we would no longer be able to provide a rent guarantee policy to cover loss of rent should the tenant not be able to pay once this period had concluded.

If your tenant has stopped paying the rent we will try to recover this as soon as possible utilising the rent guarantee insurance if applicable. However, where landlords may be impacted by reducing or non-rental payments periods they should consider taking advantage of the 3 month mortgage holiday if they have a buy-to-let mortgage for their rental properties.

During this time, “landlords remain legally obligated to ensure properties meet the required standard and urgent, essential health and safety repairs should be made” to their properties. However, landlords and tenants should make agreements for non-urgent repairs to be done later.es.