Throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, the government put in place an eviction ban. The Coronavirus Act 2020 provided protection to social and private tenants by delaying when landlords can evict tenants. The provisions in the Act increased the required notice period length landlords must provide to tenants when seeking possession of a residential property and have been extended through additional legislation.

This means that between 29th August 2020 and 31th May 2021, with the exception of the most serious cases, landlords needed to give their tenants six months’ notice before starting possession proceedings. 
However, from 1st June 2021, bailiffs can send out eviction notices and enforce evictions with 14 days’ notice. It is highly likely homelessness will rise as the eviction ban comes to an end.  

According to The Joseph Roundtree Foundation, 400,000 people have already been served with an eviction notice or told they may be evicted in the upcoming months. They have also reported a further 450,000 tenants are in arrears with rent payments. 

Shelter told ITV the eviction ban was “absolutely necessary” but added they fear a “real risk” of homelessness rising in the coming months. 

“About one in four private renters – that’s 1.8 million people – are really worried that this is going to be the beginning of the end for them in terms of losing their home,” Polly Neate from the charity said. 

“I think it is highly likely we will see a significant increase in homelessness going forward. “It’s not going to be instant, but over the next few months people who built up significant levels of debt during the pandemic… many of those are going to be evicted over the coming months.” 

“And there is a real lack of options for them because we’re simply not building anywhere near enough social homes that people on low incomes can actually afford to rent. 

“The private renting sector is increasingly unaffordable. And so, people are stuck between a rock and a hard place and many of them will end up homeless.” 

This highlights the importance of HSPG’s mission to support those facing homelessness to access safe, comfortable high-quality accommodation. We partner with organisations including care providers, investors and Local Authorities to make arrangements for these tenants as quickly as possible. 
We believe that everyone should have access to a home. Everybody has human rights. This pandemic has unfortunately created impossible situations for some and we are here to help with their basic human needs. 

If you’re worried about the eviction ban ending and unsure where to turn, you can read Shelter’s housing advice here. 

If you’re interested in working with us in the future, get in touch with the right person here.