As the ban on evictions is lifted almost one million households fear being made homeless, new research has suggested.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said 400,000 have already been served with an eviction notice or told they may be evicted and a further 450,000 households are in arrears with rent, JRF said.

A ban on evictions in England ends today, leading to warnings from housing campaigners that tenants face a wave of proceedings as bailiffs are allowed to resume using court orders for repossession.

JRF said the temporary ban on bailiff-enforced evictions has provided much-needed security to renters during the pandemic.

The ban was introduced in March 2020 and has been extended several times throughout the pandemic.

The JRF survey of more than 10,000 households suggested 'clear warning signs' of a spike in evictions and homelessness as the ban lifts, the report said.

However, the lift will be welcomed by landlords, some of whom have been left with no recourse to take against tenants who have been simply unwilling to pay rent rather than those who are unable.

John Lewis, who rents out eight properties in Northamptonshire, says he feels like all landlords have been tarred with the same brush.

Meanwhile, renter Rudolf Bozart says the pandemic has left him in rent arrears of £3,400.

The company Mr Bozart worked for went bust and after finding a replacement job as a carer, he was then made redundant.

The 26-year-old, who now delivers takeaways, told the BBC: 'It is stressful and it's affecting my health and it gives a lot of sleepless nights.

'I just don't know when I'm going to wake up to the dreadful message, saying that this is your notice because of the rent arrears.

'So far the ban on eviction was my safety net for me not ending up on the streets.'

Rachelle Earwaker, of JRF, said: 'For the 450,000 families locked in rent debt, the prospect of securing a mortgage is simply unimaginable and, worse still, many will now struggle to secure a new home in the private rented sector just as the eviction ban ends.

'High levels of arrears are restricting families' ability to pay the bills and forcing many to rely on hidden borrowing.

'This is not only deeply unjust, it is also economically naïve and risks hampering our economic recovery, which is reliant on household spending increasing as society continues to reopen.

'The Government's decision to provide a generous tax break to wealthier homeowners through the stamp duty holiday while failing to protect renters points to a worrying two-tier recovery in which those who were prospering prior to the pandemic will continue to do so while those who have been hit hard will sink even further behind.

'The cost of boosting support to tackle rent arrears is a fraction of the cost of the stamp duty holiday.'
The Government says the measures will ensure renters continue to be protected with longer notice periods for the coming months, while allowing landlords to access justice.

It claims 45 per cent of private landlords own just one property and are highly vulnerable to rent arrears.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said: 'As COVID restrictions are eased in line with the Roadmap out of lockdown, we will ensure tenants continue to be supported with longer notice periods, while also balancing the need for landlords to access justice.'

Mr Pincher added that 'crucial' financial support also remains in place including the furlough scheme which has been extended to the end of September and the uplift to Universal Credit.
The Government says the measures will ensure renters continue to be protected with longer notice periods for the coming months, while allowing landlords to access justice.

It claims 45 per cent of private landlords own just one property and are highly vulnerable to rent arrears.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said: 'As COVID restrictions are eased in line with the Roadmap out of lockdown, we will ensure tenants continue to be supported with longer notice periods, while also balancing the need for landlords to access justice.'

Mr Pincher added that 'crucial' financial support also remains in place including the furlough scheme which has been extended to the end of September and the uplift to Universal Credit.


Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Katie+Feehan+For+Mailon line