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NHF updates COVID-19 pledges to tenants ahead of eviction ban being lifted
The trade body that represents the UK’s 800 housing associations has published a new set of pledges from its members ahead of the expected lift of the eviction ban in England on Sunday. Associations have vowed not to evict people hit by the COVID-19 crisis as long as they engage with landlords to come up with payment plans.
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has now updated its key promises outlining how associations should act when it comes to protecting tenants impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
Included in these is a vow to not evict anyone who has been impacted financially by the pandemic if they engage and work with their housing association to come up with a payment plan.
This differs from the set of pledges put forward at the start of April when the NHF said that associations should not evict anyone, regardless of whether they had engaged or not.
The changes to the pledges come ahead of the government lifting the eviction ban that has been in place since March.
The ban will allow associations to reactivate existing possession proceedings against tenants as well as raise new ones for tenants on the grounds of rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and other issues.
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A snap survey by Inside Housing found that the majority of associations said they would not look to evict tenants on the grounds of rent arrears incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. However, many have said that they would look to push forward with eviction where the tenant has not engaged or where there is an issue with anti-social behaviour.
The new pledges also include a tweak to the third promise put out in April. The NHF has said associations should act compassionately and that this could include being flexible on rent.
It also qualifies the pledge by saying that legal action should only be taken in “serious circumstances” and as a “last resort” where a resident will not agree a plan with their landlord or in cases of domestic abuse or anti-social behaviour.
The eviction ban is scheduled to end on Sunday, but there has been increasing pressure on the government to extend it due to fears that nearly a quarter of a million tenants could be facing eviction if it is lifted. LBC reported today that the government is looking to extend the ban for rent arrears.
Commenting on the ban, Catherine Ryder, director of policy and research at the NHF, said: “Sadly, people on low incomes have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus crisis.
“Housing associations recognise this and have acted quickly and decisively to support residents struggling financially, putting extra measures in place including setting up charitable funds, helping people claim the benefits they’re entitled to and retraining extra staff to provide one-to-one support.
“No one should be evicted because of coronavirus, and housing associations will continue to act compassionately in the face of the long-term impact of the crisis.”
“We want to reassure residents that housing associations have pledged not to evict anyone as a result of arrears built up during this crisis as long as residents make contact with their landlord to agree a manageable way to move forward.”
The National Housing Federation’s updated pledges
- Keeping people secure at home, meaning no one will be evicted as a result of financial hardship caused by the pandemic
- Help people to get the support they need by helping residents access benefits and other support
- Acting compassionately and quickly where people are struggling, which can include flexibility on collecting rent
