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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. This has included
support for businesses to pay staff salaries with the Chancellor’s recent announcement
of the Government’s Winter Economy Plan also setting out further measures to support
jobs and businesses.</p><p>We have strengthened the welfare safety-net with a nearly
£9.3 billion boost to the welfare system which includes an extra £1 billion to increase
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they cover the lowest 30% of market rents.
For 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 which is for councils to distribute to
support renters with housing costs. 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.</p><p>Where possession cases do go to court
we understand that the judiciary will look to prioritise the most egregious cases
such as those involving anti-social behaviour. New court rules have also been introduced
requiring landlords to set out any information they are aware of in relation to how
their tenant, or any dependant of their tenant has been affected by the coronavirus
pandemic. Where this information is not provided, judges have the ability to adjourn
proceedings. Finally, guidance will be issued to bailiffs highlighting that they should
not enforce possession orders in places where local public health restrictions have
been introduced by government through legislation or in England and Wales across 11
December 2020 to 11 January 2021.</p><p>Taken collectively, these measures ensure
those most at risk are protected, providing time for tenants to agree a solution with
their landlord to sustain the tenancy if they are unable to pay their rent or to consider
moving to avoid building up unsustainable debt.</p><p> </p>
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