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Eviction ban and grant programme for renters needed as evictions set to hit 350,000 this winter, charity warns
Social and private renters need support via a “watertight” eviction ban and a targeted grant programme to prevent 350,000 evictions this winter, with arrears expected to near half a billion pounds in the coming months, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has said.
In a new report, the JRF warned that 2.5 million households are already worried about paying their rent over the winter, with 700,000 already in arrears with rent payments – the value of which could already be £400m in England and Wales.
The charity called on the government to reinstate a “watertight” eviction ban to prevent a wave of homelessness over winter, similar to the one introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
Unlike the original eviction ban between March and September, the current arrangements do not put a stop to proceedings and cases will still be heard in court.
JRF said: “Despite government guidance not to employ the use of bailiffs before 11 January in England, this protection may not be legally binding and may not be well understood by households vulnerable to eviction, who may feel they have no option but to leave their home if they receive and eviction notice.”
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The charity recommended a targeted grant programme designed to address rent arrears, along with guidance for councils to make sure that support reaches people who need it most and that any temporary protection from eviction does not simply delay problems until the spring.
JRF also said it should be targeted particularly those on lower incomes, many of whom are using their savings to pay rent, cutting back on essentials and borrowing money to stay afloat. BAME renters are disproportionately likely to be concerned about paying their rent over winter, according to the charity.
Helen Barnard, director at JRF, warned that without government action, there would be a surge in homelessness during the winter.
She said: “The government acted swiftly during the first wave of the pandemic to ensure no one would be forced from their home, rightly recognising that we all want to protect one another from harm during this crisis. Bringing back a watertight ban on evictions now is the right thing to do.
“But without action which seeks to address growing arrears, any ban on evictions or enforcement only kicks the can down the road, with renters vulnerable to losing their homes again as restrictions are lifted. A targeted package of support to address high rent arrears will give renters and landlords much needed breathing space as we continue to weather the storm.”
A government spokesperson said: “We’ve taken unprecedented action to protect renters, changing the law to put in place six-month notice periods and banning the enforcement of evictions except in the most serious cases until after Christmas.
“This is in addition to support provided to prevent people getting into financial hardship by helping businesses to pay salaries, boosting the welfare safety net by over £9bn and extending furlough.”
Update: at 15:45, 16.11.20
This story was updated to include a response from the government.
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