The government is once again being urged to follow the example set in Wales and Scotland and develop interest free, guaranteed hardship loans to help tenants pay off rent arrears built as a result of the existing pandemic. 

Research by YouGov for the National Residential Landlords Association shows that the total rental income lost by private landlords with properties in England as a result of Covid-19 could be as high as £437m. 

The study found that almost a fifth of landlords had lost up to half of their usual rental income. 

Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: “Our research still shows that private landlords across England have faced rental loses of up to £437m  as a result of COVID-19.

“It is vital that the government now follows the example set in Wales and Scotland and develops interest free, government guaranteed hardship loans to help tenants pay off rent arrears built as a result of the pandemic. 

“We cannot expect them, or landlords, the vast majority of whom are individuals without the means to absorb significant losses, to continue to struggle without support.”

The NRLA has welcomed the Winter Economy Plan announced by the chancellor yesterday but it insists that more is needed to support tenants – and landlords. 

Norris commented: “We welcome the government’s measures to subsidise wages. We warned that the end of the furlough scheme ran the risk of many households facing further difficulties in paying their rents.”