Property industry angry over eviction ban extension.
Landlords have raised concerns about this new extension to the eviction ban.
The property industry has attacked the latest extension of the government’s eviction ban, saying broader action is required to help tenants deal with debt and arrears. Instead, what has been put into place has been described as “sticking plaster”, while the owners have been dubbed “open piggy banks.”
The government has extended the bail on evictions by a sheriff until the end of May, while landlords have to give tenants six months’ notice of their intention to evict until May 31.
“The government has made a decision that may affect the industry.”
Timothy Douglas, policy and campaign manager for ARLA Propertymark’s leasing and regulatory body, said: “The UK government has once again extended the ban on evictions in England, without putting in place any additional and specific measures to support the sector.”
“With the licensing plan extended through September, we are likely to see more changes in the coming months. To this end, we urge the UK government to consider a broader strategy and plan how the sector can deal with rent arrears and the backlog of evictions, to avoid a growing crisis.”
“As the impact of COVID-19 continues to affect household debt and rising unemployment rates, we remain concerned about how renters will avoid future rent arrears and landlords will continue to be incentivized to stay on the market.”
“Rather than taking short-term measures that do not help tenants who need it most, the UK government should focus on providing long-term support to help tenants pay off the debt and arrears they have accumulated during the pandemic.”
Landlords will be the most affected by this decision.
Franz Doerr, CEO of rental technology platform flatfair, said: “The cries of tenants and landlords alike have once again fallen on deaf ears in Whitehall.”
“Since it was introduced last year, the bail on bailiff evictions has only served as a cast for the rental market. Huge sums of debt are accumulating at the feet of homeowners who continue to unfairly prop up the market.”
“Instead of just kicking the can down the road, the government should fight to prevent struggling tenants from becoming more in debt.”
“Unlike Scotland and Wales, England does not have a tenant loan scheme. These schemes not only ensure that private tenants can continue to pay their rent, but also protect the overall stability of the rental market.”
“It is understandable that many homeowners in England are getting fed up with the lack of support that lies ahead. If the government continues to ignore landlords, it risks causing an exodus from the buy-to-rent market, which would only reduce the amount of more affordable rental housing available.”
Isobel Thomson, executive director of the safeagent rental agent accreditation scheme, suggested there is a big divide between how residential and commercial landlords are treated.
She said: “In the commercial sector, the government recognizes the need to support both parties and monitor the overall progress of tenant-landlord negotiations. Why is this not the case with private owners in the PRS?”
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