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Johnson confirms private renters will be protected from eviction during coronavirus
Private renters will be protected from eviction during the coronavirus crisis, the prime minister has confirmed.
During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) today in the House of Commons, Boris Johnson said that legislation will be brought forward to protect people who are unable to pay their rent during the coronavirus crisis.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the protections will also apply to housing association and council tenants.
Inside Housing understands that an announcement setting out further details will be made later today.
Earlier, the National Housing Federation promised that housing associations will work with tenants to avoid evictions over missed rent caused by coronavirus.
Responding to a question from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Johnson said: “I can indeed confirm that we will be bringing forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction, that is one thing we will do, but it is also important as we legislate that we do not simply pass on the problem, so we’ll also be taking steps to protect other actors in the economy.”
Ministers have come under pressure to help renters after chancellor Rishi Sunak announced yesterday that mortgage lenders will offer “at least” a three-month break from mortgage repayments for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties as a result of coronavirus.
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The government is set to bring forward emergency legislation aimed at dealing with a range of issues arising from the outbreak of coronavirus as vast numbers of people are forced to stay at home and businesses suffer.
Mr Johnson has pledged to do “whatever it takes to ensure that all workers are protected throughout this crisis”.
He confirmed, in response to a question from Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh, that so-called ‘no-fault’ Section 21 evictions will be halted as part of the emergency legislation.
Mr Corbyn said of renters: “They’re worried, they’re worried sick, that they can’t pay their rent if they get ill, lose pay, or feel they need to self-isolate.
“It is in the interest of public health, of the health of all of us, that people don’t feel forced to go to work in order to avoid eviction when they know themselves they may be spreading this terrible disease.”
Via Twitter, shadow housing secretary John Healey said: “Glad to hear from Boris Johnson at PMQs that he is now planning legislation to protect renters from eviction. Look forward to seeing the detail.”
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said: “It’s reassuring to hear that the government is planning to bring forward legislation to protect renters during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“People renting need to know that, in these uncertain times, they’ll be able to keep a roof over their head come what may.
“It is vital that these measures are brought forward quickly and include the immediate suspension of all evictions for social and private tenants, so that people are not put at greater risk of homelessness should they experience a loss of earnings because of the pandemic.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan has also called on the government to suspend the bedroom tax during the crisis and “ensure that all London’s homeless can access the support they need to self-isolate, including those who might not otherwise be eligible to receive support”.
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