Today, 14th February 2021, the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has announced a further extension to the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions in England. This ban has now been extended until the 31st March 2021.
The ban, which was introduced at the start of the pandemic, nearly a year ago, to protect private renters, will remain in place for all but the most serious cases, for another six weeks. This ban has already been extended from January, to February and now until March.
The more serious cases are the ones causing the greatest strain on landlords, as well as other residents and neighbours, such as illegal occupation, anti-social behaviour and arrears of 6 months’ rent or more.
Ben Beadle, the National Residential Landlords Association Chief Executive, has stated that around 800,000 private renters have built up rent arrears during the pandemic, since the ban came into force, which they will struggle to pay off. It will eventually lead to renters having to leave their home and face serious damage to their credit scores.
Although this short extension to the bailiff ban may be providing tenants with some security for now, it is not getting rid of the problem as is, in fact, sweeping the issues under the carpet. Tenants are still being served with eviction notices, and evictions are still going ahead, but during the bailiff-enforced evictions ban, these evictions cannot be enforced by bailiffs until this ban is lifted.
Angela Davey, the ARLA Propertymark President says that “ARLA Propertymark have reiterated demand for UK Government to give financial support to those in the private rental sector; this includes landlords, letting agents and tenants. The best way to sustain tenancies is to make sure tenants can continue to pay their rent. ARLA Propertymark are calling on the UK Government to introduce a financial support package for tenants who have fallen into rent arrears, as a consequence of Covid.”
In Wales there is specific financial support scheme available; “Tenancy Saver Loan”. Scotland also have a similar scheme; “Tenancy Hardship Loan Scheme”. Sadly, to date, there has been no direct financial support for the England private rental sector and, consequently, we have seen an increase in landlords exiting the private rental sector and putting their properties on the market for sale.
Concerns have been raised for the future of the private rental sector if the Government fails to recognise the key issues. Intervention is urgently needed to specifically address the Covid-19 rental arrears. The Government need to recognise the issues to protect the livelihoods of both landlords and tenants and, also, to prevent homelessness.
If you are a landlord or tenant that urgently needs the financial support and would like to voice your opinions and concerns, it is advised that you write a letter to your MP, highlighting how important it is to keep the rent flowing and to ensure support is available to support the private rental sector over the coming months and years.
Support is vital to ensure tenants can remain in their homes for longer and to give landlords the security they need to prevent them exiting the market as quickly as they have been.
If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Gemma at Flying Keys; 01400 675 175 or via email; gemma@flying-keys.co.uk.
