The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill 2022 is currently making its way through Holyrood, which is one of the promised changes by the Scottish Government to the private rented sector (PRS).

The Scottish Government’s Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Bill proposes to make all eighteen grounds for possession discretionary on a permanent basis, as well as retain pre-action protocols relating to rent arrears.

The Scottish Government has announced that temporary changes to notice periods, introduced at the start of the pandemic are to return to pre-pandemic terms on 30 March 2022.

Propertymark welcomes the latest announcement by the Welsh Government after it has adjusted the eligibility criteria, meaning every tenant in Wales who has COVID-related arrears can apply for financial help.

Official UK Government figures show the number of possession actions across court stages in England and Wales were higher than those reported in 2020 but significantly lower than in the same quarter of 2019.

Following repeated calls and lobbying from Propertymark and other organisations, the UK Government announced on 23 October a £65 million support package for councils in England to aid low-income earners in rent arrears in the private rented sector to help to prevent homelessness.

New regulations come into force on 1 October 2021 for England that will return notice periods for Section 21 and Section 8 notices to their pre-pandemic levels.