A council is urging landlord not to evict tenants when the current ban ends on May 31 without getting in touch first. 

Sefton council on Merseyside says is homeless prevention service can arbitrate to help renters maintain, or can assist with them moving to more affordable accommodation in an orderly fashion. 

It also says it can assist landlords facing issues such as rent arrears and late or inconsistent rent payments.

Trish Hardy, Sefton council’s cabinet councillor with responsibility for housing, says:“The impact that the pandemic has had on many people’s circumstances and incomes is likely to be making the costs of housing a problem for some people in Sefton.

“We want any tenants who think they might be facing problems after the Government ends its eviction ban at the end of May to contact us as soon as possible so that we can work with them to find practical solutions.

“And we want to hear from landlords expecting difficulties, so that we can help them reach practical solutions without the lost rent and other costs that can result from evictions and disputes.”

It says landlords who contact the team may be concerned about affordability issues due to a change in circumstances, anti-social behaviour, their tenant’s mental health, addiction or other vulnerabilities that are affecting the tenancy.