Landlords refute Shelter evictions claims
Landlords have responded to new research by Shelter on rent arrears due to Covid-19, saying that they will do all they can to sustain tenancies.
The charity is warning of a homelessness crisis once the five-month ban on evictions comes to an end next month.
However the NRLA said evidence suggests landlords are already working hard to support tenants and that nine in 10 have been paying their rent as usual during the pandemic.
Chris Norris, Policy Director for the NRLA said: “Throughout the lockdown, our surveys show that the vast majority of landlords have been doing all they can to keep people in their homes.
“Although no landlord can afford to absorb long-term losses of income, eviction is not, and should not be seen as the inevitable outcome of getting behind with rent payments.
“Our recently published guidance supports tenants and landlords to hold discussions about how to address rent arrears and sustain tenancies.
“It is important though to distinguish between tenants affected by COVID-19 and those who were building rent arrears before lockdown, sometimes for several months and sometimes wilfully.
“When the courts re-start rehearing possession cases on 24th August the latter should be the priority along with instances where tenants are committing anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse.”
Survey
A recent survey of over 2,000 tenants across England and Wales, commissioned by the NRLA found 90 per cent had paid their rent as usual since the coronavirus crisis began.
It found 82 per cent, had not needed to ask their landlord for any support – and of those that did ask, three quarters received a positive response.
To read our latest Covid-19 guidance click here.
