Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Almost 230,000 UK renters at risk of homelessness when eviction ban lifts

Hundreds of thousands across the UK could lose their homes next month when the coronavirus eviction ban ends, a charity has warned.
An estimated 227,000 of adults have fallen into rent arrears since the start of the pandemic, meaning they at risk of becoming homeless when the suspension on evictions ends on August 23, reveal figures released by Shelter.

The ban was introduced by ministers in March in a bid to protect renters who could not pay their bills after losing jobs or being put on the furlough scheme. But last week, housing minister Lord Greenhalgh confirmed the suspension would not be extended beyond next month, calling it an ‘important step towards ending lockdown’.

The housing charity has warned that unless the government urgently acts to protect renters struggling to pay rent amid the pandemic, judges will be powerless to stop them from losing their homes once the ban lifts. Chief executive Polly Neate insisted that the housing minister can ‘still avert this disaster’.

Under the current court system, anyone who accrues rent arrears of eight weeks or more can be automatically evicted. They also face being subjected to a Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction, which allows landlords to repossess the property at short notice and without reason after their fixed-term tenancy ends.

Mum-of-three Jeanny, 48, who lives in Bournemouth, was furloughed from her retail job at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak meaning she had to take a pay cut.

But when she asked her landlord for some flexibility on rent payments, Jeanny was completely ‘shocked’ when she was told that she and her children would have to leave their family home of four years by October 4. She said she has paid her rent in full and on time every month before the pandemic.

Jeanny, said: ‘I thought my landlord would at least say “let’s talk” about the rent before threatening me with eviction when I told her I couldn’t quite pay my full rent after my pay was cut.’

The mother said she is trying her best to cut outgoings and has been buying cheaper food but said the situation is ‘incredibly stressful’.

‘Being under all this pressure is having a massive impact on everyone in the family. It affects my sleep, it’s on my mind all the time,’ she added.

‘I talk about it with my older children, and we try and work out where we can get the money from to top up the rent… I don’t want it to come to an eviction through the courts. I don’t want my children to go through that.’

A YouGov poll carried out for Shelter found 174,000 private tenants have already been threatened with eviction by their landlord or letting agent.

Meanwhile, the total number number of private renters in arrears reached 442,000 adults – double what it was in the same period last year.

The charity also revealed nearly a third of renters – 2.7 million adults – feel more depressed and anxious about their housing situation, with the same amount suffering sleepless nights.

Shelter said the figures demonstrate ‘the terrifying impact of the pandemic on private renter’s finances’ which ‘is only likely to get worse’ as many could lose their jobs as the furlough scheme comes to an end.

CEO Ms Neate said: ‘The Housing Secretary promised no-one would lose their home because of coronavirus… Unless he acts now, he will break his promise, and put thousands of renters at risk of homelessness.’

‘[The Housing Secretary] can prevent these ‘Covid-evictions’ as the pandemic continues and keep families safe in their homes. All he and the government need to do – in the 10 sitting days before Parliament breaks for the summer – is make some small changes to the law.

‘These changes would give judges the power to ensure that no renter is automatically evicted, and the impact of coronavirus is always considered.’
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×