A property law firm says the government’s ‘eviction ban by the back door’ means many buy to let properties are likely to be repossessed in the coming months.

The government claims there is no overall eviction ban because courts are still open and possession cases can still be heard. However, it has also said that there will also be a moratorium on all evictions during lockdown, over the Christmas period running from December 11 to January 11, and thereafter in areas designated for coronavirus as tiers 2 or 3. 

“It means that even though the courts will process residential possession claims, up to and including a possession hearing, but tenants will not be evicted for an indefinite period” said the property litigation firm Hagen Wolf.  

A statement from the company stated: “Given that areas can be moved into Tier 2 or 3 overnight, this in practice means no evictions for the foreseeable future. However, that could change if the Lord Chancellor seeks to impose legally dubious exceptions. Good luck evicting anyone right now or for the foreseeable future, whatever the reasons.”