The government has made a last minute U-turn on the eviction ban – extending it for four weeks until September 20.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says: “I know this year has been challenging and all of us are still living with the effects of COVID-19. That is why today I am announcing a further four week ban on evictions, meaning no renters will have been evicted for six months.

“I am also increasing protections for renters – six month notice periods must be given to tenants, supporting renters over winter.

“However, it is right that the most egregious cases, for example those involving anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse perpetrators, begin to be heard in court again; and so when courts reopen, landlords will once again be able to progress these priority cases.”

The ban was originally to have lapsed on Sunday, with some repossession cases scheduled for newly-approved Nightingale courts from Monday.