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City MP demands eviction ban for renters with coronavirus

By 16 March 2020March 23rd, 2020No Comments

Stephen Morgan MP has today called on the government to ban evictions for people who fall behind on their rent due to coronavirus. The city MP took forward constituent concerns by writing to the Communities Secretary tonight.

Labour is also publishing draft legislation that the official opposition is urging the government to adopt immediately.

The new law would mean any non-payment of rent due to coronavirus would not count as legal grounds for eviction. It would cover the more than 20 million people – eight and a half million households – who rent their homes from private, council or housing association landlords, including three million households with children.

The move would bar landlords from evicting tenants who are off work and not getting paid due to coronavirus, by changing the legal basis on which landlords can seize possession of a rented property to exclude arrears that have built up due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

It would initially cover any arrears that accumulate between 1 March 2020 and 1 September 2020, with the option to be extended as necessary.

In the letter to the Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Mr Morgan said that two thirds of private renters and more than eight in 10 social renters have no savings, according to government data.

Stephen Morgan MP said:

“I have taken this action today immediately after hearing constituents’ concerns. It follows Labour’s call at the weekend for emergency financial protection for people affected by the coronavirus, including rent deferrals and mortgage holidays, higher statutory sick pay, and income protection for insecure, low-paid and self-employed workers, which I fully support.

No one should face eviction during a pandemic and the Government are in a position where they can ensure this does not happen.

It is a priority of mine at this time of national crisis to ensure Portsmouth people are safe and are protected. I hope Ministers take forward these positive proposals for those that rent their home”.

Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey MP added:

“The coronavirus pandemic requires a rapid response from the government to protect families.

Our current threadbare legal safety net means renters are vulnerable to eviction if they get ill and fall behind on their rent. The fear of being evicted may also mean workers are reluctant stay off work and self-isolate.

Our emergency legislation would protect renters from eviction and we urge the government to work with us to adopt it and implement it at the earliest opportunity.

This is an essential first step in public reassurance, giving people confidence they can follow official health advice in responding to coronavirus without putting their home at risk.”