You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Shelter urges Welsh social landlords to halt possession cases amid confusion over eviction ban
Shelter Cymru has written to all social landlords in Wales urging them to halt all possession proceedings, as housing providers and charities describe confusion over whether the eviction ban announced by the government on Wednesday applies to the devolved nation.
In a letter being sent to all Welsh housing associations and local authorities, John Puzey, director at Shelter Cymru, said: “We have been impressed by the compassionate response to the outbreak shown by many social landlords this week.
“Unfortunately though our caseworking and court duty services are continuing to see some landlords pursuing possession.”
On Wednesday, the UK government announced a three-month ban on evictions in both social and private rented housing during the coronavirus crisis, however Shelter Cymru said it was still unclear whether this would apply to Wales.
READ MORE
A Welsh government spokesperson told Inside Housing that housing minister Julie James has said the UK government’s eviction moratorium “should apply to Wales”.
They added: “Whilst it is right that tenants in Wales benefit from this measure, we need to do more to address the underlying issue of possession notices being issued in the first place. We will continue to do all we can to support tenants in Wales”.
It is understood that the Welsh government is planning to make further announcements on protections for tenants and landlords affected by coronavirus tomorrow.
In the meantime, Mr Puzey is asking Welsh social landlords “to halt any actions that have already begun against tenants, or warrants for eviction, and not to issue any further NoSPs [Notices of Seeking Possession] for the coming period”.
He said the charity is already seeing problems with proceedings because many clients and claimant landlords are now self-isolating, working remotely or unable to work at all.
Mr Puzey wrote: “Should the proceedings continue regardless, it is highly likely that the strength of the client’s case will be compromised.
“This is unacceptable particularly in light of the fact that legal representatives will face obstacles in attending court and representing tenants. Justice will not be served adequately, and in the meantime any new NoSPs will increase tenants’ anxiety at an already worrying time.
“I am sure you will agree that your colleagues’ energies would be best used in supporting tenants, particularly those who fall into the categories that make them significantly more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.”
Earlier this week, Clare Budden, chief executive of ClwydAlyn housing association in Wales, told Inside Housing that her organisation is working with tenants to avoid evictions at all costs, but added that this would have “a negative impact either on cash into the business or expenditure out”.
Meanwhile, the government of Northern Ireland has told Inside Housing that it is currently assessing the issue of evictions and hopes to provide an update as soon as possible.
The Scottish government has been approached for comment, however earlier this week Scottish housing minister Kevin Stewart said his government was “actively considering” how to prevent tenants from eviction as a result of coronavirus.
