Many private renters across England are worried about losing their home, according to Shelter. It was a subject that was discussed on last night’s Question Time.
A ban on bailiff-enforced rental sector evictions in England ended on May 31.
About 400,000 renters have had eviction notices or been told to expect them, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation says.
A survey from Shelter found 22% of renters in England are worried they will lose or be asked to leave their current home at short notice.
Four in 10 (40%) said their experience of finding and trying to keep a home makes them worry about finding another home in the future.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The lifting of the eviction ban signals the beginning of the end for many renters facing homelessness. Thousands of people will wake up on June 1 knowing they’ll soon be kicked out of their home, with nowhere to go.
“The ban has been a lifeline for private renters who have weathered job losses, falling incomes and rising debts in this pandemic. But what happens now? Longer notice periods, while they last, will give some worried renters valuable time. But come September, anyone facing eviction will have just weeks to find somewhere else to live.”
StepChange Debt Charity chief executive Phil Andrew said: “Support from Government, like furlough and benefit uplifts, has been important in helping people through the pandemic, but not sufficient to keep many renters out of arrears.”
Tory MP Lucy Frazer featured on the BBC panel show to defend the protections of tenants.
She said: “It is important that landlords can take control when necessary.”
Frazer also added the government has protected rental tenants “for a long period of time”, but that a return to normality must happen now lockdown is easing.
Then an audience member, via video link asked: “I’d be interested to know how many people on the panel have actually been in danger of losing the roof over their head?”
She said the lifting of a ban on property evictions could ruin the lives of many people already struggling to make ends meet.
Related: ‘Their only refuge’ – Evictions of renters should not be allowed during lockdown, Government warned
