You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Social landlords advised to pause all ‘non-essential’ lettings during pandemic
Social landlords must pause all ‘non-essential’ allocations of homes during the pandemic, new advice from the government has said.
According to guidance published last night, local authorities and housing associations should only let properties if deemed “essential”. Essential circumstances include supporting a victim of domestic abuse or facilitating a move on from temporary accommodation.
Other essential moves also include preventing severe overcrowding, facilitating discharge from hospital, and supporting those living in unsafe accommodation which poses a risk to their health.
The guidance instructs that landlords are expected to “make every effort to communicate this clearly to applicants and prospective applicants for social housing, for example on their websites and via email”.
READ MORE
Meanwhile, tenants are to be strongly discouraged from exercising their right to mutual exchange for all but the most essential moves during the pandemic.
If an essential home move is required, the government said that landlords have a responsibility to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to.
Local authorities are advised that they must ensure homes are only allocated to eligible applications, following the appropriate statutory guidance on the matter.
It comes one month after the government put a freeze on the UK housing market by advising people to delay moving home while social distancing measures are in place.
Housing minister Christopher Pincher said: “This is a daunting and uncertain time for everyone around the country – especially for those who need a more settled home.
“Wherever possible, councils and housing associations should continue to support those fleeing abusive relationships or leaving hospital after an illness to move into decent and more settled homes.
“By doing this we will not only help vulnerable people into settled homes, but we can also free up more hospital beds and save lives during this pandemic.”
The guidance from the government also reiterates that all non-essential maintenance work where it would require households to move temporarily into other accommodation should be paused, and that strict social distancing rules should apply when work is being carried out on voids.
