10 March, 2021
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has today (10 March, 2021) confirmed that it is suspending bailiff-led rental evictions until 31 May.
The temporary law requiring landlords to give tenants six months’ notice before they can evict has also been extended for the same period.
Responding to the news, Richard Lane, Director of External Affairs here at StepChange, said:
“The Government’s continued suspension of rental evictions until the end of May is a welcome step which will gives renters affected by the pandemic vital time to get back on their feet.
"However, renters are among the groups hit hardest by the pandemic, and many of those struggling have fallen well behind on their rent or resorted to borrowing to get by.
"With wider restrictions due to continue until at least the end of June and the economic effect of the pandemic expected to go on well beyond that, renters have little hope of a return to anything like normal by May.
"Without targeted financial support, many renters are at risk of losing their homes. We need urgent action to prevent homelessness, housing insecurity and long-term problem debt from taking hold when the newly extended suspension is lifted.
“That’s why StepChange is calling for an emergency financial package from the Government that helps people deal with their rent arrears through a system of grants and no-interest loans.
We’ve seen the Governments in Wales and Scotland make a start on tenancy saver schemes for renters – now the UK Government must follow suit by rolling out an improved version of support in England while providing devolved administrations with the resources needed to fully support renters.”
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