Housing charities want the government to extend the ban on landlords evicting renters beyond 20 September.

Renters across England and Wales received greater protection in mid-July after the government extended the suspension of new evictions until 20 September, taking the moratorium on evictions to a total of six months. 

The move was designed to ensure that renters continue to have certainty and security during the Covid-19 pandemic. But with the tenant evictions ban coming to an end, there is growing concern among housing charities that private renters may lose their homes.

ACORN is calling on the government to urgently extend protections for all, including BTL landlords behind on their mortgage payments.

Mortgage payment holidays, initially introduced in March, are also set to end on 31 October.

Tom Renhard, ACORN national chair, said: “The latest figures show thousands of people at risk and this is likely to spike as the furlough scheme comes to an end and many more people may struggle to pay their bills.

“We are in the middle of a public health emergency and people being made homeless could increase the risk of Covid-19 cases.”

Homeless charity Crisis also wants to see the evictions ban continue.

Jon Sparkes, Crisis chief executive, commented: “As jobs cuts are coming in thick and fast, we know that tens of thousands of people may struggle to find somewhere cheaper to live even with six months’ notice.

“The government still has time to intervene and protect people from being swept into homelessness.

“We urgently need renters who are struggling to afford their rent and in arrears given financial support from government.”