The Citizens Advice charity is the latest organisation to call for more help for private tenants following what appears to be a U-turn by government on eviction policy.
As we reported earlier this week, a three month outright eviction ban pledged to renters by government spokespeople last week appears to have been watered down in the Coronavirus Emergency Bill passed by Parliament on Monday.
Last week, the government pledged to introduce a 'complete ban on evictions and additional protections for renters' affected by coronavirus. However, the Coronavirus Bill merely extends the notice required for possession from two months to three.
Now Dame Gillian Guy, the chief executive of Citizens Advice, says: "Last week, the Housing Secretary pledged 'no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home'. These measures fall woefully short of that promise.
"Simply extending notice periods to three months cannot be seen as 'job done'. It means that people dealing with unimaginable financial uncertainty still face the prospect of being served with an eviction notice.
"Over the coming days, the government must keep their promise and add to these changes to make sure no one loses the roof over their head as a result of coronavirus.”
Citizens Advice claims that government figures show 18,860 households have lost their homes in the past year due to rent arrears.
Some 44 per cent of those were due to a reduction in employment income, or a change in personal circumstances.
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Not a problem.
Shelter could pay the rent for those tenants that are affected and unable to meet their obligations.
18860 rent arrears which a landlord who's only source of income is rent.
Tenants are not evicted without reason.
The government should have just confirmed they wold pay full rent direct to landlord
There was no U turn just like there was no rent holiday I keep seeing landlords being asked to provide. If you look at the text from the government in the days since it was raised in the Commons, as I have said in other posts they were very careful and deliberate with the words they chose to use as politicans always are. There was only ever talk of the eviction process being amended, there was never an indication whatsoever that the use of Section 21 would be suspended. That was simply poorly interpreted by those who wanted to see that happen.
The appropriate solution to this would be for tenants in genuine need to make an application to for the rent payments to be covered and paid direct to the LL, just like applications for benefits or the ones businesses are now making for having wages paid. Very simple. That way those that need it will be supported as they should be and those that would have been tempted to get a free lunch will have to keep paying their way.
Citizens Advice, a charity supported by taxpayers that discriminates against landlords by refusing them any advice because they are "businesses".
Did you know Citizen's Advice morals are as low as Shelters, both organisations exist to help those who choose to default on their liabilities or downright steal.
Quote from Guardian ( so must be true ! ) 7/12/2010
" Citizens Advice is to use ' public funds ' [ my emphasis ] to defend those caught Shoplifting, even where the individual has admitted guilt to the offence... "
@ PF
Sadly yes. I put them on a par with each other.
Certainly not the RLA or its recently Taken over NLA ( masquaraded as a merger )
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