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Coronavirus: Eviction ban ‘to be extended by a month’ Coronavirus: Eviction ban to be extended by four weeks
(about 1 hour later)
Ministers are planning an extension to the ban on landlords evicting tenants in England until 20 September, sources have told the BBC. Ministers have extended the ban on landlords evicting tenants in England until 20 September, following warnings that thousands could lose their homes.
From Monday, courts were due to resume cases put on hold for five months owing to the coronavirus crisis, under stricter rules. From Monday, courts were due to resume cases paused for five months owing to the coronavirus crisis, under stricter rules.
There had been calls from charities and health bodies to keep the ban. Now they will remain on hold for a further four weeks.
Renters have argued the financial and practical effects of the crisis mean they should not be thrown out. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the move as an "11th hour u-turn".
Tenants get a minimum of three months' notice of eviction in England - a timeframe ministers could also decide to extend - and six months in Wales, until at least 30 September, compared with two months before the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to judges, Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton said that, having expected the end of the ban on Sunday, the proposal had been of "an extremely unusual nature and timing" but would allow further work to be done to prepare for the ban to be lifted.
Only after this notice period is up can the courts hear a case. In England and Wales, eviction notices have been served but court decisions have been put on hold for the past five months. One landlords' group described the move as "unacceptable".
How evictions work
Tenants get a minimum of three months' notice of eviction in England and six months in Wales, until at least 30 September, compared with two months before the coronavirus outbreak.
Only after this notice period is up could courts theoretically hear a case. In England and Wales, eviction notices have been served but court decisions have been put on hold for the past five months.
The government is now planning for courts to resume hearing cases on 20 September.
In Scotland, a six-month notice period is proposed to be extended to March, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament. Laws in Northern Ireland include a 12-week notice period.In Scotland, a six-month notice period is proposed to be extended to March, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament. Laws in Northern Ireland include a 12-week notice period.
'Very worrying''Very worrying'
David Batchelder, 35, was laid off from his job in pest control at the start of lockdown and is typical of tenants struggling with their finances owing to the economic fall-out of the pandemic.David Batchelder, 35, was laid off from his job in pest control at the start of lockdown and is typical of tenants struggling with their finances owing to the economic fall-out of the pandemic.
He lives in a flat in High Wycombe with his partner, who works as a building company receptionist, and at the moment is a stay-at-home dad to one-year-old daughter Miley.He lives in a flat in High Wycombe with his partner, who works as a building company receptionist, and at the moment is a stay-at-home dad to one-year-old daughter Miley.
The fall in income and reliance on benefits means he is worried about the future.The fall in income and reliance on benefits means he is worried about the future.
"In all honesty, [benefits] are not enough and just do not cover everything," he said."In all honesty, [benefits] are not enough and just do not cover everything," he said.
"In difficult times there is a possibility that we could end up losing our home. We would like to know that we've got somewhere secure."In difficult times there is a possibility that we could end up losing our home. We would like to know that we've got somewhere secure.
"The landlords have been very good so far, but they can only do so much. And if there was another coronavirus wave, it will be very worrying as to what might happen.""The landlords have been very good so far, but they can only do so much. And if there was another coronavirus wave, it will be very worrying as to what might happen."
A survey by homelessness charity Shelter suggested that more than 170,000 private tenants have been threatened with eviction by their landlord or letting agent, and 230,000 in England have fallen into arrears since the pandemic started.
Polly Neate, Shelter's chief executive, said: "It is right for the government not to lift the ban when it risks exposing people to eviction and the threat of homelessness with no means of defence.
"The government must use this short window of time wisely to put proper safeguards in place for renters."
Health bodies had warned that homelessness or moves to overcrowded accommodation could risk higher numbers of Covid-19 infections.
Politicians have called for more than the latest extension to the ban.
Labour's leader, Mr Starmer, said "such a brief extension means there is a real risk that this will simply give renters a few more weeks to pack their bags".
He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson has "stuck his head in the sand" for months, adding: "The ban should not be lifted until the government has a credible plan to ensure that no-one loses their home as a result of coronavirus."
The former Conservative Communities Secretary, Lord Pickles, told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the ban should be extended into next Spring.The former Conservative Communities Secretary, Lord Pickles, told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the ban should be extended into next Spring.
He said "periodic" extensions were "pointless" without further legislative action to give tenants more security.He said "periodic" extensions were "pointless" without further legislative action to give tenants more security.
'Infection risk' 'Action needed'
A survey by homelessness charity Shelter suggested that more than 170,000 private tenants have been threatened with eviction by their landlord or letting agent, and 230,000 in England have fallen into arrears since the pandemic started.
Charity Christians Against Poverty said: "The crisis is not over. For many people, especially those who were struggling financially before the crisis, it's just beginning."
The District Councils Network (DCN) has estimated that up to 500,000 people could be at risk of being evicted as they spend more than half of their income on private housing rent, and health bodies have warned that homelessness or moves to overcrowded accommodation could risk higher numbers of Covid-19 infections.
Citizen's Advice warned that one in nine people had reported falling behind on household bills. With the eviction moratorium and a ban on face-to-face bailiff collection ending this weekend, "many of those struggling may face harsh enforcement", the charity said.
A spokesperson for the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Department said the government had taken "unprecedented action" to support renters during the pandemic and would continue to support those affected when the eviction ban lifts.
"We are working on how best to continue supporting renters and landlords during the pandemic and will make an announcement on the next steps shortly," the spokesperson said.
With other parts of the UK having already announced further help for tenants facing eviction, Ministers in England are now under pressure to help up to a quarter of a million tenants who are at risk of losing their home.
Councils have warned that housing departments will struggle to cope with a steep rise in homelessness applications.
With an acute shortage of temporary emergency housing, local authorities might need to move homeless individuals and families away from their locality and house them in budget hotels.
The county courts in England have a backlog of 40,000 eviction cases and it is feared they won't have the capacity to deal with tens of thousands more, particularly when the government's jobs furlough scheme ends in October.
Social distancing means most courts cannot operate at full capacity and it is estimated that it may take a year simply to deal with the eviction disputes in the system before lockdown.
This is a huge concern to landlords who rely on rental income to pay their bills, including their own housing costs.
If they cannot evict troublesome tenants or those who have significant rent arrears, their businesses may collapse.
The government is committed to ending "no fault evictions" in its manifesto and some housing charities argue this would reduce the number of people losing their home and bring greater certainty to the rental system.
But ministers have been consulting on such a reform and have found it hard to devise a system that does not have unintended consequences.
With just two days to go until the ban ends, any change in policy now is likely to be characterised by their opponents as another last-minute U-turn.
'Life is hard to plan'
Meghan Butt and her wife Faith Taylor are facing a section 21, so-called no-fault, eviction notice meaning they will have three months to leave the property in Hackney, London.
"This home has been a sanctuary during lockdown, and our first as a married couple," said Meghan, who studies horticulture and runs a dog-walking business in the area.
"It is really hard to plan life at the moment anyway. This puts us on the edge of our seats."
She said that the idea of moving during the pandemic was worrying, and could be very difficult for her business which is very locally-based.
The government ultimately wants an end to section 21 evictions, but that will need legislation.
Lawyers and landlords' groups have said that, even after a ban expires, there is little expectation of people who have faced Covid-related financial problems being swiftly told to leave properties.Lawyers and landlords' groups have said that, even after a ban expires, there is little expectation of people who have faced Covid-related financial problems being swiftly told to leave properties.
Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association, said: "Our research clearly shows that the vast majority of landlords and tenants are working together constructively to sustain tenancies wherever possible. Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: "A blanket extension is unacceptable, especially so close to the deadline."
"We need the courts to deal with cases where tenants are committing anti-social behaviour or where there are long-standing rent arrears that have nothing to do with the pandemic."
Government measures mean more evidence is needed from landlords for the courts to agree to a possession.
"It is unlikely that we will see an immediate spike in evictions and certainly not tenants kicked out onto the streets the following day. Landlords are bound by strict rules designed to slow the process down," said Jacqui Walton, from law firm Royds Withy King.
In Wales, tenants who have fallen into arrears are being aided with a saving scheme.In Wales, tenants who have fallen into arrears are being aided with a saving scheme.
Landlord groups have called for more help in England to reduce the financial pressures on landlords, in addition to mortgage holidays.Landlord groups have called for more help in England to reduce the financial pressures on landlords, in addition to mortgage holidays.
Advice for tenantsAdvice for tenants
Source: Citizens AdviceSource: Citizens Advice
Are you worried about being evicted when the ban is lifted? Or are you a landlord? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you worried about being evicted when the ban is lifted? Or are you a landlord? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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