The government’s ban on bailiff-enforced evictions is just a “sticking plaster” and not a long-term answer for landlords and tenants.

That’s the view of Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association.

Just before the start of the weekend Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a six week extension to the current ban on bailiff-enforced evictions, with a review scheduled for February 21. 

In response, Beadle says: “The repossessions ban is a sticking plaster that will ultimately lead to more people losing their homes. It means tenants’ debts will continue to mount to the point where they have no hope of paying them off leading eventually to them having to leave their home.

“Instead the government should recognise the crisis facing many tenants and take immediate action to enable them to pay their debts as is happening in Scotland and Wales. The objective should be to sustain tenancies in the long term and not just the short term.” 

And Oli Sherlock, head of Insurance at lettings platform Goodlord, says: “Many landlords are now nearing breaking point. Scores are facing financial difficulties as a result of unpaid rent and ongoing mortgage costs, with a few facing uncommunicative tenants who are refusing to vacate properties even when leases come to an end (although this is a minority of tenants).

“Unless more support is put in place for those struggling, we can expect to see a large number of landlords withdraw their lets from the housing market over the next year. This will put pressure on a vital source of housing at a time of critical need. 

“Decision makers must start thinking about how tenants and landlords alike can recover from these challenges during and following the stay on evictions.”