The government has extended the residential repossessions ban that had previously been set for 1 April to the end of May.
The ban applies to “all but the most serious circumstances”, such as anti-social behaviour and a breach of immigration rules. Landlords will need to provide six-month notice before any repossessions can occur.
The enforcement of orders and warrants is also banned until 31 May.
Additionally, the ban on commercial evictions has been pushed by three months to 30 June.
National Residential Landlords Association chief executive Ben Beadle says: “We welcome clarification that emergency measures in the rental market will be phased out in tandem with the overall roadmap out of lockdown restrictions.
“That said, the further extension to the repossessions ban will do nothing to help those landlords and tenants financially hit due to the pandemic. Given the cross-sector consensus for the need to address the rent debt crisis, it suggests the government are unwilling to listen to the voices of those most affected.
“If the chancellor wants to avoid causing a homelessness crisis, he must develop an urgent financial package including interest free, government guaranteed loans to help tenants in arrears to pay off rent debts built since March 2020.”
Meanwhile, Generation Rent director Alicia Kennedy comments: “It is right that the bailiff eviction ban is being extended once again. It would be dangerous to allow people to be made homeless when coronavirus restrictions are still in place.
“But landlords can still serve eviction notices, even if their tenants have done nothing wrong, and courts remain open to process evictions. The government’s protections exclude renters who owe more than six months’ rent, and many of these people will be in debt due to the pandemic. Without financial support, renters will face a cliff edge when restrictions lift.
“We need a Covid rent debt fund to help renters who have been affected by the pandemic and left with debts they’re unable to pay. The government must also bring forward the Renters Reform Bill and end ‘no fault’ Section 21 evictions so blameless renters don’t lose their homes as a result of the pandemic.”
