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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce specific financial support for landlords who have lost rent as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are supporting landlords by supporting tenants to continue paying rent. This includes support for businesses to pay staff salaries through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has now been extended until the end of April 2021. We have also introduced a substantial package of wider measures in 2020/21 to help those who are facing financial disruption during the current situation.

The recently published EHS Household Resilience Study found that 93 per cent of private renters are up to date on their rent. This indicates our package of support is working, and has prevented widespread arrears.

Where landlords find themselves in coronavirus-related hardship, mortgage lenders have agreed to offer payment holidays of up to six months, including for buy-to-let mortgages. The application window is open until 31 March 2021.The FCA has been clear that for borrowers who have taken six months’ holiday and continue to face ongoing financial difficulties, firms should continue to provide support through tailored forbearance options.