© Provided by The iThe eviction ban has been extended again in line with the roadmap on reopening (Photo Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Emergency measures limiting the ability of landlords to evict tenants in England were extended again on Wednesday, just weeks before they were set to expire.
Restrictions on evictions from residential properties have been extended from 31 March until 31 May, meaning that bailiff-enforced evictions will remain banned in all but the most extreme circumstances, while landlords are required to provide a six-month notice period for tenants facing eviction.
Meanwhile, a ban on commercial evictions was extended until 30 June, which the Government claims will give businesses time to start back up under the roadmap for re-opening.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ""It is right that as we move through the roadmap, we ensure that businesses and renters continue to be supported.
"We have taken unprecedented action to support both commercial and residential tenants throughout the pandemic - with a £280 billion economic package to keep businesses running and people in jobs and able to meet their outgoings, such as rent."
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added: "I know business owners will welcome this latest package of support and the breathing space it will give them to prepare for a safe reopening, and, ultimately, to build back better."
However, landlords and housing campaigners have both warned that the move is not sufficient to address a crisis in the rental sector.
Polly Neate of Shelter, said: "These extensions will come as a relief to the frightened renters who've been flooding our helpline with calls. While the threat level from the virus is still high, it's right that renters can stay safe in their homes.
"But as we follow the roadmap out of lockdown, the destination for renters remains unknown. The pandemic has repeatedly exposed just how broken private renting is, leaving many people hanging onto their homes by a thread. And, although the ban and longer notice periods are keeping renters safe for now, they won't last forever."
Ben Beadle of the National Residential Landlords Association added: "The further extension to the repossessions ban will do nothing to help those landlords and tenants financially hit due to the pandemic.
"Given the cross-sector consensus for the need to address the rent debt crisis, it suggests the Government are unwilling to listen to the voices of those most affected.
"If the Chancellor wants to avoid causing a homelessness crisis, he must develop an urgent financial package including interest free, government guaranteed loans to help tenants in arrears to pay off rent debts built since March 2020.
"Without this, more tenants face losing their homes, and many will carry damaged credit scores, making it more difficult to rent in the future and causing huge pressure on local authorities when they can least manage it."