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Number of renters in arrears doubles
Housing charity Shelter has said that the number of private tenants in England who have fallen behind on rent has doubled during the coronavirus pandemic.
It is estimated that 226,785 are now in arrears despite having been up to date in March, out of a total of 442,403. Shelter said the figures showed the need for action before a ban on new evictions ends next month.
A ban on new evictions of social or private tenants in England and Wales has been extended for two months and is currently due to end on 23 August. However, Shelter is warning that the winding down of the government's furlough scheme could leave people even more exposed to eviction if they lose their jobs.
A Shelter poll of 1,058 private renters in England conducted by YouGov estimated 442,403 of the country's 8.7 million renters - approximately five per cent - were in arrears in early June. Of that figure, 226,785 said they were up to date with payments in March, before the height of the pandemic. Additionally, of those who had contact with their landlord or letting agent since March, roughly six per cent of those surveyed said they had been threatened with eviction.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: "We know people have been doing whatever they can to pay their rent and keep their home safe. Despite this, the minute the evictions ban lifts, the 230,000 already behind with their rent could be up for automatic eviction if they've built up eight weeks-worth of arrears.”
Thangam Debbonaire, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, said: "The government seems to be more interested in protecting landlords' incomes than preventing families from losing their homes in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Rough sleeping had more than doubled under the Tories before coronavirus. If we go back to business as usual, many thousands of people will find themselves sleeping on the streets this winter."
The Scottish government has amended legislation to prevent new evictions for up to six months for those struggling with arrears.
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