Emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or private rented accommodation during COVID 19 lockdown has been put in place by the government. No new possession proceedings through applications to the court to start during the crisis. Landlords will also be protected as 3 month mortgage payment holiday is extended to Buy to Let mortgages. The link contains information about the temporary law changes with respect to evictions on the UK governments website

www.gov.uk/guidance/government-support-available-for-landlords-and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

This depends on various factors and also the property owner, we have ear defenders to work whilst an intruder alarm is sounding, we also have the facility to contact the specialist alarm company Urban security Brighton for assistance, if authorised by the property owner, we can access the alarm box which houses the backup battery and siren and disconnect the necessary components which silences the alarm.

Most common way communal front door on electronic strikes can easily be bypassed by slipping the latch. High security maglocks on high crime area council owned tower blocks can be problematic as these are designed to be impenetrable, in an instance like this we would try buzzing in through another flat or call an electrician to short circuit the mains power and release the maglock system.

For jobs where our services are required out of hours, we charge an out of hour call out fee of £100 on top of the hourly rate. The hourly rate is variable depending upon the time of day/night that our services are required.

Yes but a landlord must hold a valid warrant of possession.

Landlords must follow a procedure. It depends on the tenancy agreement. Landlords must give notice first either section 21 or section 8 and then apply for a warrant of possession.

Yes a bailiff with valid legal documents can hire a locksmith to repossess a property.

If the tenants do not leave by the date specified on the notice and they owe rent. The landlord can apply for an accelerated possession order if the landlord is not claiming any unpaid rent.

Persistent late or non -payment of rent, antisocial behaviour and refusal to vacate at the end of the agreed tenancy period may result in the landlord wishing to repossess the property

It’s a crime to harass or try to force tenants out of a property without following correct procedures. A tenants might have the right to claim damages through the court if a landlord does not follow the rules.

Your tenancy will be a ‘fixed term’ tenancy if it has a definite start and end date. You don’t automatically have to leave your home at the end of your fixed term tenancy. You can decide with your landlord if you want to renew the tenancy for another fixed period or stay on a rolling basis.

If your landlord must give you written notice. You might get either section 8 notice where the landlord has to give a reason, for example rent arrears or section 21 where they dont have to give a reason e.g. they want to move back into the property.

If your landlord gives you a notice, they can’t force you to leave on the day your fixed term tenancy ends or on the day the notice ends. Your landlord will have to go to court to get a court order.

If you’re facing eviction because your landlord has fallen behind with their mortgage payments, you might have a right to stay in the property. If you don’t have a right to stay, you can apply to delay possession of your home by up to two months. This could give you more time to find a new place to live.

A mortgage lender could take a landlord to court to get possession of the property. This will usually give them permission to evict anyone who lives there. The tenancy may be binding if any of these things apply to you:

• the landlord’s lender agreed to the tenancy
• you were living in the property when your landlord’s mortgage was granted
• the landlord’s lender has recognised your tenancy in some way, for example, by asking you to pay them rent