Calls for Financial Help as Eviction Ban is Extended

Industry bodies have reacted to an announcement that the ban on evictions in England will continue until the end of March 2021 – not 22 February as previously planned.

The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the ban on enforcement by bailiffs will continue, “in all but the most serious cases” in an effort to help renters “during this difficult time”.

However, landlord bodies and campaign groups believe a further ban is delaying the problem and that financial assistance is needed.

For the National Residential Landlords Association, chief executive Ben Beadle said: “The government needs to get a grip and do something about the debt crisis renters and landlords are now facing. A package of hardship loans and grants is needed as a matter of urgency. To expect landlords and tenants simply to muddle through without further support is a strategy that has passed its sell by date.”

And, according to housing charity Shelter, more should be done for the 445,000 private renters in England who have fallen behind with their payments. Chief executive Polly Neate said: “Before the ban is lifted, the government must give renters a real way out of debt. That means a lifeline of emergency grants to help pay off ‘Covid arrears’ so people can avoid the terrifying risk of eviction altogether.”

Evictions were banned in the first lockdown in March 2020 but the ban was lifted in September. However, a “Christmas truce” meant bailiffs were not allowed to enforce possession orders between 11 December and 11 January – extended until 22 February. Ministers also increased the notice period to end a tenancy to six months, in most cases.

Mr Jenrick said the government had already taken unprecedented action to help renters with the moves which offer “the right balance between protecting tenants and enabling landlords to exercise their right to justice”.

Read more about this story on the BBC and Landlord Today websites.