1/4 of private renters fear they will lose their homes

The eviction ban which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic came to an end on June 1.

Following this, Shelter has released new research which highlights the severe insecurity of private renting in England.

According to the research, 1.8 million adults in England are worried they will lose or be asked to leave their current home at short notice.

A further 3.2 million private renting adults also said the experience of finding and trying to keep a home makes them worry about finding another home in the future.

Shelter is warning the government must take urgent action now to protect renters against the imminent threat of eviction and homelessness with a package of emergency financial aid.

But to protect renters long-term, Shelter says the government must address the structural failings of the private rental system through its forthcoming Renters’ Reform Bill.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: ‘The lifting of the eviction ban signals the beginning of the end for many renters facing homelessness.

‘Thousands of people will wake up on the 1st of June knowing they’ll soon be kicked out of their home, with nowhere to go.

‘The ban has been a lifeline for private renters who have weathered job losses, falling incomes and rising debts in this pandemic.

‘But what happens now? Longer notice periods, while they last, will give some worried renters valuable time. But come September, anyone facing eviction will have just weeks to find somewhere else to live.

‘The government needs to do more to stem the tide of rising evictions. It cannot waver from delivering a Renters’ Reform Bill that scraps Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions altogether. And in the meantime, it must offer renters with crippling Covid-arrears a package of financial aid.’