Extension of protection measures for renters during the covid-19 outbreak

That this House is concerned about the large number of tenants facing eviction as a result of the ban on evictions coming to an end as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased; notes with concern research by Shelter which found that 227,000 private renters have fallen into arrears since the start of covid-19 lockdown in March 2020; expresses concern that 1 in 6 parents who rent privately, equivalent to 458,000 people, have concerns that their family could become homeless as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; further notes with concern that while people served with an eviction notice from August 2020 have been given a six month notice period, that exemption does not apply to the estimated 55,000 people who received notice of eviction between March 2020 and August 2020; and calls on the Government to extend the ban on evicting renters during the covid-19 outbreak in order to avert a winter homelessness crisis.