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Coronavirus: Number of renters in arrears doubles, says charity | Coronavirus: Number of renters in arrears doubles, says charity |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The number of private tenants in England who have fallen behind on rent has doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, new research suggests. | The number of private tenants in England who have fallen behind on rent has doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, new research suggests. |
Polling for housing charity Shelter estimated 226,785 are now in arrears despite having been up to date in March, out of a total of 442,403. | Polling for housing charity Shelter estimated 226,785 are now in arrears despite having been up to date in March, out of a total of 442,403. |
It said the figures showed the need for action before a ban on new evictions ends next month. | It said the figures showed the need for action before a ban on new evictions ends next month. |
The government said those hit hardest would get "appropriate protection". | The government said those hit hardest would get "appropriate protection". |
A ban on new evictions of social or private tenants in England and Wales has been extended for two months and is currently due to end on 23 August. | A ban on new evictions of social or private tenants in England and Wales has been extended for two months and is currently due to end on 23 August. |
But the charity Shelter is warning that the winding down of the government's furlough scheme could leave people even more exposed to eviction if they lose their jobs. | But the charity Shelter is warning that the winding down of the government's furlough scheme could leave people even more exposed to eviction if they lose their jobs. |
A Shelter poll of 1,058 private renters in England conducted by YouGov estimated 442,403 of the country's 8.7m renters - roughly 5% - were in arrears in early June. | A Shelter poll of 1,058 private renters in England conducted by YouGov estimated 442,403 of the country's 8.7m renters - roughly 5% - were in arrears in early June. |
Of them, 226,785 said they were up to date with payments in March, before the height of the pandemic. | Of them, 226,785 said they were up to date with payments in March, before the height of the pandemic. |
Of those who had contact with their landlord or letting agent since March, around 6% of those surveyed said they had been threatened with eviction. | Of those who had contact with their landlord or letting agent since March, around 6% of those surveyed said they had been threatened with eviction. |
Around a third of respondents said they feel more depressed and anxious about their housing situation, with 30% also experiencing sleepless nights. | Around a third of respondents said they feel more depressed and anxious about their housing situation, with 30% also experiencing sleepless nights. |
Law change urged | Law change urged |
The charity's chief executive Polly Neate said thousands of renters were at risk of homelessness unless the government changed the law on evictions. | The charity's chief executive Polly Neate said thousands of renters were at risk of homelessness unless the government changed the law on evictions. |
"We know people have been doing whatever they can to pay their rent and keep their home safe," she said. | "We know people have been doing whatever they can to pay their rent and keep their home safe," she said. |
"Despite this, the minute the evictions ban lifts, the 230,000 already behind with their rent could be up for automatic eviction if they've built up eight weeks-worth of arrears," she added. | "Despite this, the minute the evictions ban lifts, the 230,000 already behind with their rent could be up for automatic eviction if they've built up eight weeks-worth of arrears," she added. |
She called on ministers to make "small changes" to eviction law to ensure no renter is automatically evicted, and the impact of Covid-19 is "always considered". | She called on ministers to make "small changes" to eviction law to ensure no renter is automatically evicted, and the impact of Covid-19 is "always considered". |
The Scottish government has amended legislation to prevent new evictions for up to six months for those struggling with arrears. | The Scottish government has amended legislation to prevent new evictions for up to six months for those struggling with arrears. |
In Northern Ireland, a requirement for a 12 week notice to quit period for all tenancies became law in May. | In Northern Ireland, a requirement for a 12 week notice to quit period for all tenancies became law in May. |
Responding to Shelter's polling, Labour said emergency legislation was needed to protect renters from eviction. | Responding to Shelter's polling, Labour said emergency legislation was needed to protect renters from eviction. |
Shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire said: "The government seems to be more interested in protecting landlords' incomes than preventing families from losing their homes in the middle of a deadly pandemic. | Shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire said: "The government seems to be more interested in protecting landlords' incomes than preventing families from losing their homes in the middle of a deadly pandemic. |
"Rough sleeping had more than doubled under the Tories before coronavirus. | "Rough sleeping had more than doubled under the Tories before coronavirus. |
"If we go back to business as usual, many thousands of people will find themselves sleeping on the streets this winter." | "If we go back to business as usual, many thousands of people will find themselves sleeping on the streets this winter." |
'Appropriate protection' | 'Appropriate protection' |
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it had taken "unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic". | The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it had taken "unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic". |
"We have introduced the furlough scheme to protect jobs, provided over £6.5bn to strengthen the welfare safety-net," a spokesperson said. | "We have introduced the furlough scheme to protect jobs, provided over £6.5bn to strengthen the welfare safety-net," a spokesperson said. |
They added the government had also made the housing benefit system more generous by increasing it to cover 30% of the average market rent in each area. | They added the government had also made the housing benefit system more generous by increasing it to cover 30% of the average market rent in each area. |
"We're working with the judiciary to provide appropriate protection to those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus when proceedings start again." | "We're working with the judiciary to provide appropriate protection to those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus when proceedings start again." |
The National Residential Landlords Association said it had produced guidance for tenants and landlords on how to best address rent arrears. | |
Its policy director Chris Norris said eviction "should not be seen as the inevitable outcome of getting behind with rent payments". | |
"Our surveys show that the vast majority of landlords have been doing all they can to keep people in their homes," he added. |
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