Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that landlords receive the rent owed while the eviction moratorium is in place.

Housing possession cases were suspended in the courts from 27 March until 20 September but landlords are now once again able to progress their claims. This is an important step towards enabling landlords to regain their properties when needed.

The Government is extending the requirement for landlords to provide 6-months' notice except in the most serious cases such as anti-social behaviour, fraud and egregious rent arrears, for a further two months. The Government is also extending existing legislation to ensure bailiffs do not serve eviction notices or carry out evictions until 31 May but there are exemptions for the most serious circumstances that present the most strain on landlords, including cases where there are serious rent arrears of six months’ rent or more.

We are clear that tenants are still liable for the rent during this period and where they can pay the rent as normal, they should do. Tenants should also abide by all other terms of their tenancy agreement to the best of their ability. Tenants who are unable to do so should speak to their landlord at the earliest opportunity.

The Government has put in place an unprecedented support package, which supports renters and helps them to afford their housing costs. This includes support for business to pay staff salaries through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which has now been extended until September 2021.The Government has also invested an extra £1 billion to increase Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they cover the lowest 30% of market rents.  In 2021/22 LHA rates will be maintained at their increased level at cash terms, meaning claimants renting in the private rented sector will continue to benefit from the significant increase in the rates applied in April 2020. The Government is also extending the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit for a further 6 months and providing a one-off payment of £500 to eligible Working Tax Credit claimants.

This strikes the right balance between prioritising public health and supporting the most vulnerable renters, whilst ensuring landlords can exercise their right to justice.