The National Residential Landlords Association has written to Boris Johnson to criticise recent announcements that, it says, could mean some landlords go two years without receiving any rent.

The letter, authored by NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle and chair Jodi Berg OBE, explains that the extension on possession proceedings announced on 21 August, the six-month notice period and “the chaotic, last minute nature of the announcement” has left many private landlords angry.

Using the fact that repossession cases due to rent arrears will not be treated as a priority until a year’s worth of rent debt has accrued plus the time spent moving their repossession case through the courts, the letter builds a case that sees landlords lose out on £20,800 of income over two years.

The NRLA warns that this could lead to landlords defaulting, could expose landlords to legal action, could lead to tenants having credit rating problems and cause landlords to become more stringent in who they will rent to.

The association says in its letter that it wants to see no more extensions of the evictions ban, income support for landlords for specific arrears and interest free government-guaranteed hardship loans for tenants paid directly to landlords.

NRLA chief executive Bean Beadle says: “The overwhelming majority of landlords have been working constructively with their tenants to sustain tenancies where rent arrears have built as a direct result of the pandemic. The government’s actions are a kick in the teeth for all these landlords who have done the right thing.

“Ministers must use the next four weeks to come up with a credible plan that pays off rent arrears built due to the pandemic and gets the courts hearing cases again.

“Stopping landlords from legally ending failed and disruptive tenancies is not a solution. The government must act to cover the costs of providing homes, they cannot expect landlords to foot the bill for their failure to support households.”