Pressure mounts on Government to resolve rent debt crisis
Following the announcement to extend the eviction ban on Sunday, it has been a busy week for the NRLA and the wider sector.
It was announced that the ban on bailiffs enforcing warrants has been extended until at least 31st March in England. It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this ban, following NRLA campaigning, including cases of anti-social behaviour and where tenants have built at least six months’ worth of rent arrears. More information on this can be found in our guidance.
The NRLA was mentioned across a number of national broadcast and print media in relation to this announcement at the weekend. Coverage included BBC News, The Guardian, and The Telegraph.
Resolution Foundation report echoes NRLA calls for financial support package
Tuesday, saw a report launched from the Resolution Foundation backing the NRLA calls for a tenant loan scheme to be introduced. NRLA deputy policy director Meera Chindooroy spoke at the virtual launch of the Resolution Foundation’s report. During the webinar, Meera highlighted that while many landlords have been flexible during this period, the majority of landlords do not have the ability to absorb months of losses. This is why intervention by the Government is so essential, so that financial support can be provided for these arrears.
A united sector is a stronger sector
Hot on the heels of the Government’s announcement and following the Resolution Foundation report, the NRLA together with a coalition of organisations issued a stark warning on Thursday, urging the Chancellor to deal with the rent debt crisis that is engulfing the sector urgently. The coalition, ahead of the Budget on 3rd March, warned that if a package of financial support is not introduced, rent debts will continue to increase and the risk of homelessness will become greater.
The organisations issuing the joint call for more Government support include the NRLA, Shelter, The Big Issue Ride Out Recession Alliance, Crisis, Citizens Advice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Money Advice Trust, The Mortgage Works, Nationwide Building Society, Propertymark, and StepChange Debt Charity.
NRLA in the media
As a result of these important updates, there was wide-spread coverage of the NRLA in national media this week. Coverage included BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, the Metro, London Evening Standard and the Financial Times, with several members of our policy team taking part in broadcast radio interviews on LBC.
On Thursday, NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle was interviewed on Times Radio on this topic.
NRLA deputy director of policy and research John Stewart also spoke to Radio 4’s Moneybox this week regarding the impact of Covid-19 on tenants and landlords, and rent arrears built up due to the pandemic.
NRLA members in the media
NRLA members have also been sharing their experiences of the rent debt crisis in national media.
Landlord Elena Prosperi (pictured right), who sadly lost her job due the pandemic some months ago, appeared on BBC News this week to share how she has been affected by the rent debt crisis, and why she feels more support is needed.
This comes on the back of our call for a package of financial support being cited several times by Peers in the House of Lords earlier this month, and in December NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle called for a comprehensive package of financial support for the private rented sector while giving evidence to the Housing, Communities & Local Government Select Committee.
We need your support
We’ll be continuing to put pressure on the government in the lead up to the Budget.
As the NRLA continues to campaign for more financial support for the sector, we are urging members to make their voices heard on this matter by sharing your story with us. If you are impacted by significant rent arrears and facing issues because of the eviction ban please get in touch. To do this easily, please visit our webpage.
