We believe it is good practice where possible for the lender to let the tenancy run and use the rental payments to cover the mortgage repayments until the end of the tenancy or where the tenancy has become a periodic tenancy to give the statutory two month notice period as a minimum. Where this is not possible we would hope that as a matter of best practice the mortgage lender would feel able to keep the tenant informed and to give them as much notice as possible if they have to find alternative accommodation.
Officials are in discussions with the Council of Mortgage Lenders to explore ways in which best practice can be implemented and tenants can be kept better informed in these situations.
If a tenant becomes homeless as a result of their landlord's failure to keep up with mortgage payments the local council should be able to help in terms of providing temporary accommodation and assisting the tenant in their search for somewhere to live.