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The Government is failing to tackle the Covid rent debt crisis.
Following the announcement of a 6 week extension on the eviction ban in England until 21st February 2021, there has still been no sign of a financial package of help for landlords whose tenants are struggling to pay rent. Or for tenants who cannot afford to pay their rent.
A comprehensive financial package is needed, to allow tenants to continue to pay their rent without building unmanageable debt.
SWLA are on the Independent Advisory Board panel along with other large landlord associations in England. We represent our members at national level and are working hard to encourage the Government to look at providing financial help to save tenancies and prevent huge debt.
We regularly write to MPs within the South West with difficulties that landlords face, our MP Panel members assist us in reaching every MP for maximum effect.
Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive says: “The repossessions ban is a sticking plaster that will ultimately lead to more people losing their homes. It means tenants’ debts will continue to mount to the point where they have no hope of paying them off leading eventually to them having to leave their home.
“Instead the Government should recognise the crisis facing many tenants and take immediate action to enable them to pay their debts as is happening in Scotland and Wales. The objective should be to sustain tenancies in the long term and not just the short term.”
This week Steve Lees, SWLA chair attended a Federation of Small Businesses online meeting with Ben Bradshaw MP (Exeter). Steve highlighted the Welsh ‘Tenancy Saver Loan Scheme’. The loan can be repaid over 5 years at an interest rate of 1% APR. More information onthe scheme in Wales can be read here; https://gov.wales/scheme-help-tenants-affected-coronavirus-launches-wales
And the Scottish Tenant Hardship Loan Fund information can be read here; https://www.gov.scot/news/increased-support-for-tenants/#:~:text=The%20Tenant%20Hardship%20Loan%20Fund,in%20response%20to%20the%20pandemic.
You can get involved by writing to your MP, calling for the Government to take action, and share the message through your social media channels.
