Following the decision to extend the tenant eviction ban until 20 September, apropos is calling on the government to show the same support for landlords as it has for tenants. 

The property management firm welcomed the delay in tenant evictions but believes that landlords should be offered the same level of support from the government during these difficult times.

David Alexander, joint managing director of apropos, commented: “The government’s month-long delay in re-introducing tenant evictions is the right thing to do and welcome. However, there needs to be comparable, more visible, and active support for landlords during this time. 

“If it is right to support tenants’ in financial difficulties, then it must be right to financially support landlords who will be impacted by this move.”

Many BTL landlords urgently require financial support as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this come in the form of grants, favourable bank lending and encouragement from lenders to be sympathetic and supportive, according to Alexander. 

He continued: “It is essential that the UK government do all that they can to maintain stability in the private rented sector which is the second largest provider of homes in the country. 

“Many landlords are rightly concerned about their incomes and the viability of their properties and ensuring that they are supported as fully as possible is essential to maintain the security of the PRS.”

There is often a danger of polarisation in the PRS with tenants on one side and landlords on the other, but Alexander believes that “both sides need each other”, and they all require the support of the state to get through this difficult period. 

He added: “Landlords need tenants and tenants need landlords. There must be greater support for landlords now and in the future. Without landlords there is no PRS and without the PRS there is a serious shortage of homes for tenants.”

“It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that the PRS remains secure, supported and viable. This means supporting tenants to remain in their homes and supporting landlords to be able to keep their properties. 

“The government must act to maintain the stability and security of the private rented sector during these unprecedented times.”