Families in rented accommodation are still facing an uncertain future after it was announced that a ban on evictions will not be extended beyond the middle of the this month.
A nationwide ban was ban on evictions was introduced at the start of lockdown. It was due to end on 23 August, but the Government announced an extension two days before it came to an end.
This last-minute decision created turmoil for families who have had to twice prepare for upcoming evictions. Some will have taken out a loan to afford a deposit for a new tenancy, whilst others will have been forced to relocate to an entirely new area, uprooting their lives and leaving their support network behind.
The eviction ban will now be lifted on 20 September. Crucially, no protective legislation has been announced. The Opposition has called for legal changes to be brought forward to protect renters. These calls have been ignored and the Government Deputy Chief Whip has confirmed there will be no Parliamentary time next week for MPs to debate the evictions ban.
Thangam Debbonaire, the Shadow Housing Secretary, said “The Government’s chaotic handling of the evictions crisis has thrown renters and landlords into confusion. Labour has been saying for months that the Government needs a credible plan to prevent a dramatic rise in homelessness when the ban on evictions is lifted. As things stand, we are facing the same cliff edge next week that the Government narrowly avoided at the end of August.”
Back in March, the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said “…no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home.” However, Shelter now estimates that 230,000 renters are at risk of a Covid-19 eviction. 174,000 tenants have already been threatened with eviction by their landlord.
Stephen said “The Government must stick to their promise that no one would be forced out of their homes due to the pandemic. They must introduce urgent legal changes before the lifting of the eviction ban next week. Should they fail to do so, I am concerned that we will see increased levels of homelessness in East Ham and beyond.”