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Eviction ban ‘under review’, prime minister says
The government is keeping a ban on evictions “under review” as the Christmas truce on repossessions is due to end next week, the prime minister has said.
Responding to a question from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons today on the use of a full ban, Boris Johnson confirmed it is “under review”.
An eviction ban was first introduced in March at beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in a bid to protect tenants facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. The ban, which put a halt on courts scheduling or hearing eviction cases, was extended by housing secretary Robert Jenrick several times until it was eventually lifted in September.
When it was lifted, the most egregious cases, such as cases of anti-social behaviour being heard in court, were prioritised.
After a second national lockdown was introduced in November, Mr Jenrick introduced new guidance that said no bailiff enforcement action would be allowed to take place during that period.
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A ‘Christmas truce’ was later introduced on 11 December and is due to end on 11 January.
Mr Johnson’s review of an eviction ban comes after campaigners and housing bodies recently urged the government to reinstate introduce a full ban for renters in England again, arguing that it is “too dangerous” to evict people from their homes.
Charities warned before Christmas of a wave of evictions to come, with 700,000 households already in rent arrears in November 2020.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said on Twitter: “Eviction ban or not, it doesn’t deal with the fundamental problem of rent debt.
“Many renters and landlords are struggling through no fault of their own. Time for a proper plan to help renters and landlords sustain homes with loans or grants and tweak to Universal Credit and Local Housing Allowance.”
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