Landlords evicting hundreds during lockdown with government’s new ‘eviction ban’ loopholes

Authored by independent.co.uk and submitted by UnstatesmanlikeChi

Hundreds of renters have been thrown out of their homes in the middle of lockdown after the government caved in to landlord lobbying and introduced loopholes to its eviction ban.

New figures show eviction attempts by landlords doubled during the winter coronavirus lockdown, while more than 500 households were forced out by county court bailiffs.

The government promised in March that nobody would be made homeless because they had lost their income due to coronavirus, and put a blanket ban on evictions.

But after lobbying from landlord groups, ministers introduced new loopholes to the policy so that those hit hardest by the pandemic and furthest behind on rent could be kicked out.

As of January, anyone with rent arrears over six months can be evicted, even if the shortfall was accrued during the pandemic. Previous versions of the ban required debt to have been built up over nine months or more, not including that accrued after the start of the first lockdown.

The 500 households figure for those forced out by bailiffs is likely to be “the tip of the iceberg”, as overall homelessness rose by nearly 4,000 households to 68,680 in the most recent data available.

In the final quarter of 2020 more than 2,000 orders were issued for people to leave their homes.

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Labour said the government was breaking its promise and that the ban needed to be strengthened.

“Far from ‘putting their arms around the British people’, the government allowed hundreds of renters to be evicted during lockdown," said shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg, as tens of thousands were made homeless during the winter months.

“Everybody deserves security in their home, but throughout the Covid crisis, the government has consistently made last minute decisions that put renters at risk.

“Ministers promised nobody would lose their home because of coronavirus, but the current ban isn’t working. The government should give people security in their homes, by strengthening and extending the ban for the period that restrictions are in place.”

Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire criticised the weakened policy (Tom Pilston)

Tenants’ unions have also criticised the weakening of the policy, with the London Renters’ Union branding it a “fake eviction ban”.

Ministers on Sunday announced that the ban, which was set to expire this coming week, will run until at least the end of March. The government has repeatedly extended the ban by just a few weeks at a time.

The policy only applies to England because housing is a devolved issue in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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In Wales and Scotland separate eviction bans are expected to run until the end of March, and in Northern Ireland, rules requiring landlords to give 12 weeks’ notice before moving to eviction proceedings have also been extended to next month.

Announcing the extension of the ban, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “We have taken unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic, including introducing a six-month notice period and financial support to help those struggling to pay their rent.

“By extending the ban on the enforcement of evictions by bailiffs, in all but the most serious cases, we are ensuring renters remain protected during this difficult time.

PlayerHeadcase on February 15th, 2021 at 10:10 UTC »

The media waxes lyrical about how the evictions ban has been generously moved forward- and not a fucking word on any rent help. ..and that is ignoring the giant elephant in the room which is, the rent arrears is NOT BEING CLEARED so as soon as the ban is lifted, millions will be pushed out.

chowieuk on February 15th, 2021 at 09:16 UTC »

I've been (reluctantly) evicted during this lockdown too. Landlord wants to demolish the house so they can build 5 more on the land.

They threatened and harassed us until my housemates caved in, at which point there was no reason for me to assert my rights and demand the 6 month notice period.

I shall however be burning the place down as i walk out the door (metaphorically). I'm immediately initiating proceedings at the county court and first tier tribunal for rent repayment orders and failed deposit protection (and possibly harrassment too). Also calling the coouncil in the hope they prosecute the landlord for failure to license an HMO. If my other housemates bother too, then it could see them out of pocket by over >£50k. Maybe they'll even have to sell one of their properties.

Not that it makes any difference when they can sell the 5 houses they're gonna build for probably ~£10m

UnstatesmanlikeChi on February 15th, 2021 at 07:25 UTC »

[Quote from article]

As of January, anyone with rent arrears over six months can be evicted, even if the shortfall was accrued during the pandemic. Previous versions of the ban required debt to have been built up over nine months or more, not including that accrued after the start of the first lockdown.