There is widespread disappointment among buy-to-let landlords following the government’s decision to extend the current ban on tenant evictions until 31 March.

The ban, which was due to end on 21 February, has been extended by the government until 31 March.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said it would ensure renters remained protected “during this difficult time”.

The extension continues to leave many buy-to-let landlords facing financial hardship as they operate without receiving rental income, according to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).

Tenants across the UK are facing months of rent arrear payments as a consequence of the existing pandemic. But renters unable to pay their rent remain protected from eviction, following the government’s decision to introduce a five-week extension to the non-eviction period.
Despite mounting arrears, tenants are required to fulfil their rental obligations and those unable to pay at the moment will face several months of backlogs of rental arrears payments.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, “The announcement does nothing to help over 800,000 private renters who have built rent arrears since lockdown measures started last year. It means debts will continue to mount to the point where they have no hope of paying them off. It will lead eventually to them having to leave their home and face serious damage to their credit scores.

“The government needs to get a grip and do something about the debt crisis renters and landlords are now facing. A package of hardship loans and grants is needed as a matter of urgency. To expect landlords and tenants simply to muddle through without further support is a strategy that has passed its sell by date.”

Private landlords across the country have gone above and beyond to help support tenants during the pandenic, and yet the government has failed to give them the credit and support they deserve, according to Isobel Thomson, chief executive, safeagents.

Isobel Thomson

She said: “With government’s latest announcement on the deferral of bailiff evictions to 31 March there is still no recognition of the support landlords have given to tenants who have accumulated arrears since the start of the pandemic.

“We know from safeagents who have worked hard to set up payment plans between landlords and tenants that the majority of landlords have been sympathetic to the plight of tenants.

“We recognise financial support for renters has been put in place to a certain extent by government, but shortfalls still exist between what the agreed rent at the start of a tenancy was and the amount tenants – whose circumstances have changed drastically through no fault of their own – can afford to pay. This comes at a huge cost to both tenants and landlords. Tenants have debt hanging over them with the anxiety that brings and landlords are struggling with financial commitments they must meet, particularly where properties are subject to buy to let mortgages.

“We hope that this announcement by government on eviction deferral is to allow time for the chancellor to bring forward financial support measures for landlords in the Budget to offer a real and workable solution to both tenants and landlords. This is crucial to allow them to emerge from this difficult time and avoid a spike in homelessness.”