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1 June, 2021 Open access

Lifting of eviction ban in England signals ‘the beginning of the end’ for many renters facing homelessness, says Shelter

Housing charity calls on government to provide emergency financial aid for the one in four private renters who fear they will lose their home

The lifting of the eviction ban in England signals 'the beginning of the end' for many renters facing homelessness, Shelter has said.

Highlighting that the ban - that was introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic - ended on 31 May 2021, Shelter sets out the findings of new research showing that -

Commenting on these figures, Shelter Chief Executive Polly Neate 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 the 1st of June 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.

The government needs to do more to stem the tide of rising evictions. It cannot waver from delivering a Renters’ Reform Bill that scraps Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions altogether. And in the meantime, it must offer renters with crippling Covid-arrears a package of financial aid.'

NB - while the Renter's Reform Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech 2019, the Bill was not introduced in the 2019-2021 session. However, in the background briefing notes to the Queen's Speech 2021 the government says that it will publish a White Paper outlining a renters’ reform package in the autumn, with legislation to follow ‘in due course’.

For more information see Eviction Ban Ends: 1 in 4 private renters are worried they will lose their home from shelter.org.uk