Is Scotland about to extend its eviction ban by six months?

LandlordZONE has been made aware of speculation within Scotland that housing minister Kevin Stewart is considering a six-month extension to its existing evictions ban due to expire at the end of the month.

Scotland’s original evictions ban on bailiff evictions was due to run out on 22^nd January but was extended to March 31^st for all eviction warrants except those involving cases of serious anti-social behaviour, including domestic abuse.

Like in England, the Scottish government has been preventing evictions via a ban on bailiff activity. This has applied to all areas of Scotland under Level 4 or 3 restrictions, which at the moment covers the whole country.

Landlords have also been required to give a tenant six months’ notice of an eviction, a regulation that is also due to run out on 31st March and could be extended as well.

Sturgeon’s hint

Although Covid restrictions are due to eased in Scotland in the coming weeks as both the ‘R number’ has dipped under one and worries over unemployment have been subsiding, two weeks ago First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hinted that a further ban could be in the pipeline.

“We have already extended the ban on evictions, and we will do that again should it be necessary. It is important that people have protection against eviction, given the circumstances that we are living through,” she said in response to a question from Green MSP Alison Johnstone.

Sturgeon said her government is also considering a permanent ‘winter evictions ban’ of the type seen in France every year.

LandlordZONE approached the Scottish government for comment over the weekend but has so far not received a response.

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