A ‘tidal wave’ of evictions are coming.
May 31st 2021 marked the end of the eviction ban following a series of temporary (often last-minute) extensions. This piece of legislation, whilst imperfect, provided the primary source of protection for renters during the pandemic. The eviction ban originally prevented eviction court hearings, temporarily ensuring eviction proceedings did not start. It also extended ‘minimum notice periods’, the minimum time period a landlord could give a tenant if they wished for them to leave the property, to six months.
What Is Changing?
From 1st June, bailiffs will legally be allowed to enter renter’s homes and enforce evictions.
Minimum notice periods will also change. The notice period required to be given by landlords will drop to four months on 1st June and then to two months on 1st October.
Why This Matters
Many London renters face a myriad of housing challenges and the eviction ban simply papered over cracks.
Inadequate social housing supply, employment insecurity, rising rents, unfit housing benefit and accelerating gentrification are all challenges that remained unaddressed by the eviction ban and the governments pandemic response.
Nowhere else in the country does the cost of housing ‘push’ more people into poverty than in London. According to research from End Child Poverty, nine of the ten Local Authorities with the highest levels of child poverty are in London – with housing being a significant driver behind these figures. A recent London School of Economics report projected that 400,000 private tenants in London may be in significant rent arrears by the end of 2021. Whilst these figures in London are alarming, this is unsurprising given that nationally over £360 million has already been accumulated in covid-related rent arrears.
All in all, this means London could be facing a period of evictions and homelessness like it has never experienced before.
How Can We Help
As part of the London Child Poverty Alliance, our manifesto called upon the new London Mayor to take action on housing. We called for legislative action to tackle exorbitantly high rents, urgently deliver new homes at social rent and improve the standards and conditions of temporary accommodation in London.
However, this call for action cannot be seen as separate from our broader manifesto calls. Just like the eviction ban coming to a close in May, at present, the £20 uplift in Universal Credit is due to end at the end of September.
We simply cannot allow our social safety net to be cut further.
Getting Help
If you’re worried about being evicted or supporting someone who is, Shelter offer support regarding the eviction ban and homelessness here.