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8 March, 2021 Open access

Scottish Government extends application window for interest-free loans scheme for tenants who are struggling with rent arrears during Covid-19 crisis

Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will continue to receive applications beyond original 31 March 2021 closing date

The Scottish Government has extended the application window for interest-free loans from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund for tenants who are struggling with rent arrears during the Covid-19 crisis.

Launched in December 2020, the Fund - that provides loans for social and private tenants up to a maximum of nine months’ rent costs covering rent arrears (where those arrears have arisen since 1 January 2020) and future rent - had been due to close to applications on 31 March 2021.

However, announcing that applications to the Fund will continue to be accepted beyond the original deadline, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said today -

'Throughout this pandemic our focus has been on enabling people to stay safe in their homes while the lockdown restrictions needed to suppress the virus are in place.

These loan schemes [the Tenant Hardship Fund and a fund supporting private rented sector landlords] have provided vital support as part of our broader effort to help those facing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19. For the majority of tenants facing financial difficulties and arrears the best means of support continues to be regular non-repayable support, for example through universal credit and discretionary housing payments. However, for those who may fall through the gap and are unable to claim such support, these funds offer a helping hand to manage any rent issues that have arisen in the last few months as a result of Covid-19.'

For more information, see Rental sector loan schemes extended from gov.scot