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\u2019s recent announcement of the Government\u2019s Winter Economy Plan also setting out further measures to support jobs and businesses.<\/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 \u2013 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\u2019 notice before they can evict in most circumstances.<\/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>
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>
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