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<p>The Government has established an unprecedented package of support to protect renters
whose income has been affected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We have supported
businesses to pay staff salaries and strengthened the welfare safety-net with a nearly
£9.3 billion boost to the welfare system. This includes an extra £1 billion to increase
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they cover the lowest 30% of market rents.
For those renters who require additional support, there is also an existing £180 million
of Government funding for Discretionary Housing Payments made available this year,
an increase of £40 million from last year and which is for councils to distribute
to support renters with housing costs.</p><p>In addition, we have introduced legislation
that means, from 29 August 2020, landlords must give tenants six months’ notice before
they can evict in most circumstances. This ensures those most at risk are protected
and provides time for tenants to agree a solution with their landlord if they are
unable to pay their rent or consider moving to avoid building up unsustainable debt.</p><p>These
measures enable renters to continue paying their rent and support landlords and tenants
in sustaining tenancies. If renters do find themselves at risk of homelessness, the
Homelessness Reduction Act places duties on local housing authorities to take reasonable
steps to try and prevent a person’s homelessness.</p>
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