Extended protection helps struggling tenants

Legislation which protected tenants facing eviction for rent arrears during the state of emergency has been extended.

The government confirmed the news in a statement yesterday.

It means a landlord cannot evict a tenant for failure to pay rent until 27 December, and any notice of eviction issued by a landlord to a tenant, who has failed to pay rent in full, would have no legal effect.

The regulations only relate to a tenant’s failure to pay rent in full or at all, and a landlord can still issue a notice of eviction for reasons such as criminal damage to their property. Tenants are still liable to pay landlords in full if they fall into arrears during this time.

Following this period landlords must make arrangements with tenants for the payment of any arrears. 

In making arrangements, landlords must make reasonable allowances that take into account the financial circumstances of tenants, that are attributable to any income loss experienced due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Martyn Perkins MHK, Chair of the Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading (IoMFT), said: ‘The extension provides a level of protection for tenants who are experiencing financial problems due to exceptional circumstances outside their control. I would encourage anyone experiencing financial problems to make use of the OFT’s Debt Counselling Service.’  

The IoM OFT’s Debt Counselling Service provides free, independent and confidential advice to people with financial concerns and can be contacted by emailing: debt@gov.im or calling: 686500.