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Sector welcomes eviction ban extension but calls for longer-term strategy

Housing sector figures have largely welcomed the government’s decision to extend its evictions ban by two months, but warned that the move is just a “stopgap” and called for a longer-term strategy.

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Sector welcomes eviction ban extension but calls for longer-term strategy #ukhousing

The housing sector has largely welcomed the government’s decision to extend the ban on evictions for two months, but has warned that the move is just a “stopgap” and has urged the government to develop a longer-term strategy #ukhousing

The government announced on Friday that it will extend a moratorium on evictions imposed in March until 23 August, amid concerns from councils and charities that England was facing a surge in possessions after the original deadline later this month.

David Renard, housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, said: “We are pleased the government has acted on our call to extend the current measures to protect tenants from eviction, which will provide reassurance that they will not lose their home because of coronavirus.

“Councils have been working closely with tenants who are experiencing financial difficulties, with many already suspending debt recovery and trying to use discretionary funding to support struggling households as quickly and effectively as possible.

“The continuation of these measures will help to mitigate against the rising homelessness pressures that councils are under as a result of the pandemic.

“We would like to see the government follow this by bringing forward its pledge to end ‘no-fault evictions’ and committing to maintaining Local Housing Allowance rates at the lowest third of market rents so that tenants have greater security and households can meet their housing costs.”


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Will Jeffwitz, head of policy at the National Housing Federation, said: “Housing associations have pledged not to evict anyone as a result of arrears built up during this crisis and are providing extensive support for residents affected.

“However for those living in the private rented sector who have lost jobs and income during this time, this extension will be a welcome relief, preventing any immediate risk of losing their home.

“It is essential that measures are put in place before the extension to the ban ends, so that people renting privately continue to be protected as they get their lives back on track.”

James Prestwich, director of policy at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said: “We’re extremely pleased to see the government’s announcement of a two-month extension to its existing eviction ban. This is a welcome step, but there’s more that needs to be done to prevent arrears and increase security for private renters.

“The comprehensive post-COVID proposals CIH released last week would be a practical and welcome step to help ensure the eight million households who are tenants of private or social landlords keep their homes once the pandemic subsides.”

The CIH’s proposals, which are broadly echoed by Shelter and the Law Centres Network, include altering Section 21 and Ground 8 evictions so that judges have more discretion in deciding whether to grant possession in these cases.

Under current rules, tenants are automatically evicted if landlords seek eviction through these routes and all conditions are met.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The government has reset the clock on the evictions ban, buying the families who were only weeks away from losing their homes, a vital stay of execution. But it’s only a stopgap.

“The ban hasn’t stopped people who’ve lost their jobs during this pandemic from racking up rent arrears.

“Even if they have a plan to pay them back, these debts will throw struggling renters straight back into the firing line of an automatic eviction as soon as the ban does lift.

“It’s critical that Robert Jenrick uses this extension wisely to change the law and properly protect renters.

“Judges must be given the power to stop people losing their homes because of coronavirus, otherwise the country will face a tidal wave of homelessness after the summer. Sooner or later, the government has to stop kicking the can down the road.”

Dan Wilson Craw, director of Generation Rent, said: “It’s a relief that the government has listened to renters’ concerns and is extending the ban.

“Renters who have lost income in the past few months are extremely worried about losing their home as a result. The government has averted a homelessness crisis – for now.

“But with holes in the housing safety net and much of the economy still in lockdown, millions of renters will get further behind on rent.

“Not all of them can rely on their landlord’s goodwill and so need further help with rent, and assurance that they can stay in their homes beyond the summer.

“The government must use the time it has bought itself to develop a long-term solution to provide rent relief and end unfair evictions for good.”

However, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has warned that the extension will “cause serious damage to the private rented sector”.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “This decision means that some landlords will now be facing five months without receiving any rent as they can take no action against tenants who were not paying before the lockdown started.

“It also means more misery for tenants and neighbours suffering at the hands of anti-social tenants and will also cause exceptional hardship for a number of landlords, including many who depend on their rental income to live, for which there is no assistance.

He added: “It will ultimately be tenants who suffer as they will find it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing if landlords do not have the confidence that they will get their properties back swiftly in legitimate circumstances.”

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