Covid notice?

brooke68

We have received notice to leave our property. Because of the pandemic, we have been given six months notice in writing (taking us to October). The letting agent is now saying that from the end of May the landlord may be able to change that to just two months notice if the rules change. We are currently on a rolling contract.
Can the notice period be changed once written notice has been served?
Thank you.

Slithery

If the legal S21 notice drops to 2 months then yes, your LL can just issue a new S21 which will override the existing one.
You do realise that an S21 doesn't mean you have to leave the property? It just means that after it has expired the LL can then start legal proceedings to evict you which could easily take another 1+ years with the current backlog.

fiveacre

I would imagine they could serve a new section 21 notice if the rules change. It's quite likely the 6 month period will be extended past the end of May however. You also don't have to leave at the end of the notice period, only a court can evict you (although you might start incurring additional costs once they apply for a court order for eviction).

AdrianC

brooke68 said:

Can the notice period be changed once written notice has been served?

The period wouldn't be changed on your existing notice.
They would simply issue you new s21 notice, two months from the date of the new notice.

brooke68

AdrianC said:

brooke68 said:

Can the notice period be changed once written notice has been served?

The period wouldn't be changed on your existing notice.
They would simply issue you new s21 notice, two months from the date of the new notice.

Which really equates to the same thing.

brooke68

What is our legal position regarding allowing access for viewings etc if we are on a rolling contract?

yksi

You are not required to allow them.

RAS

You are entitled to quiet enjoyment, but does your contract make any reference to viewings? And are you vulnerable re Covid?

brooke68

RAS said:

you are entitled to quiet enjoyment, but does your contract make any reference to viewings? And are you vulnerable re Covid?

Our original fixed term contract said we needed to allow viewings in the last two months of our tenancy. Since moving to a rolling contract, we have not received a new contract. 

Yes, my husband is identified as being extremely clinically vulnerable to covid due to a lung condition. 

RAS

Does it specify "allow viewings" or mention "agree" or "reasonable"?

brooke68

RAS said:

Does it specify "allow viewings" or mention "agree" or "reasonable"?

“Within the last two months of the tenancy to permit the landlord or any person authorised by the landlord or the landlord’s agent at reasonable hours to enter and view the property with prospective tenants or purchasers, having first given the tenant a reasonable period of notice”. 

This was in our original fixed term contract.

My question is, does this still apply now we are on a rolling contract and, given the current Covid six month notice period, do we have to allow viewing for the entire six months or just for the final two (if at all)?