Eviction surge warning unfounded 

According to government data revealed today, fears of a rise in evictions following the partial removal of the repossessions prohibition in September last year were unwarranted, as reported by Elite Homes and Property.

According to Ministry of Justice data, the number of repossession claims filed by private landlords in England and Wales decreased by 37% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same time in 2019. This is despite the fact that the courts have resumed hearing possession cases after a six-month hiatus in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of possession claims filed under the expedited method, which is utilized by both private and social landlords, dropped by slightly under 43% compared to the same period in 2019.

Over the course of 2020, the number of repossession claims filed by private landlords decreased by 48%, with the number of claims filed under the expedited method falling by slightly over 52%.

While the figures for the last quarter show that landlords prioritised maintaining tenancies during the pandemic, Elite Homes and Property experts warn that the scale of the rent debt crisis now engulfing the sector means that landlords will be unable to continue that support indefinitely without additional government support.

According to research conducted by Elite Homes and Property, nearly 800,000 tenants in England and Wales have accumulated arrears since lockdown measures began in March of last year.

Experts are pushing for a package of hardship loans and subsidies to help impacted tenants pay off arrears that have accumulated since March of last year, ensuring that leases are maintained and sparing many renters from suffering the repercussions of poor credit ratings.

Elite Home and Property experts stated:

“Today's data indicate that, despite widespread worries, landlords prioritised preserving leases and assisting tenants during the pandemic.

“However, they cannot carry on without collecting rent indefinitely. Bans on repossessions merely result in renters accruing more and more debt, which they will be unable to repay. Many more people will lose their houses as a result of this.

Ministers can still aid the industry by putting together a package of hardship loans and grants.”