THE Isle of Wight Council has welcomed new government measures designed to protect renters during national coronavirus restrictions.

Safeguards mean evictions will not be enforced until January 11, 2021 at the earliest, supporting individuals and families who have found themselves in financial difficulty through no fault of their own.

Meanwhile, six month notice periods remain in place until at least the end of March 2021 — except for most serious cases — with time to find alternative support or accommodation.

Jamie Brenchley, the council's service manager for housing needs and homelessness, said: "In direct response to the Covid crisis, the Government has made changes to the laws that relate to the eviction process.

"An initial ban was relaxed and replaced by an extended notice period of six months for so-called no fault evictions.

"The Isle of Wight Council will not tolerate illegal evictions and we will take appropriate and proportionate action in the event this is identified."

Only court-appointed bailiffs can legally evict people from their homes. Landlords must first give notice and then obtain a possession order from a court. Anyone else using force or changing locks is committing a criminal offence.

Don't sign any documents from the landlord which contain a date for you to move out of your home. Get legal advice before giving up your home voluntarily, even if eviction seems unavoidable.

It's illegal for your landlord to...

  • Harass you
  • Lock you out of your home, even temporarily
  • Make you leave without notice or a court order.

If you are a tenant and feel you have been evicted from your property illegally, contact the council's housing team on 823040 or email housing@iow.gov.uk

If you are a landlord and uncertain of your legal responsibilities when seeking to end a tenancy, seek legal advice and check the details set out on GOV.UK.

Further advice is available from Citizens Advice Isle of Wight or Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity.