Statement: “No renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home during this difficult time.”
Inability to pay rent, and to subsequently find oneself out on the street in the midst of a pandemic, is probably the biggest worry keeping bar industry folk affected by the Covid-19 shutdown awake at night.
However, yesterday (18/03/20) the Government announced emergency legislation to protect renters and support private landlords. The package of measures mean that “no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home during this difficult time.” The key facets of the legislation are:
- Emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or private rented accommodation while this national emergency is taking place
- No new possession proceedings through applications to the court to start during the crisis
- Landlords will also be protected as 3 month mortgage payment holiday is extended to Buy to Let mortgages
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said: “The government is clear – no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord face unmanageable debts. These are extraordinary times and renters and landlords alike are of course worried about paying their rent and mortgage. Which is why we are urgently introducing emergency legislation to protect tenants in social and private accommodation from an eviction process being started. These changes will protect all renters and private landlords ensuring everyone gets the support they need at this very difficult time.”
The Government say that this new legislation is being pushed through as a matter of urgency. The full statement can be read – and forwarded to landlords and letting agents – here: Government statement on renter protection.