Rebuilding a better Hackney – supporting tenants beyond the eviction ban
Private renters in Hackney struggling as a result of the coronavirus crisis can receive help with finances, tenancy advice and challenging rogue landlords as the Council continues calls on the government to protect tenants beyond the end of the eviction freeze on 23 August.
Throughout the coronavirus crisis the Council has urged the government to develop a long-term plan to assist tenants with rent shortfalls accrued during the lockdown period and time to make overdue payments in order to prevent a homelessness crisis, as part of the #BetterRenting campaign.
With the freeze on evictions now ending without this additional support in place, the Council is setting out how it will continue to support private renters during the next phase of the coronavirus crisis. This includes:
- Helping tenants – with financial help for those struggling to pay rent, advice for those at risk of eviction, and enforcement against landlords or mistreat tenants or allow poor conditions
- Challenging government – to provide long-term pandemic support, implement the ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, and ensure benefits are linked to the real cost of living.
- Working with landlords – to ensure they support their tenants, meet their legal requirements, and help bring empty homes back into use. Read our letter to landlords.
As has been the case throughout the crisis, the Council will not use hardship caused by the pandemic as the basis to take enforcement action against any Council tenants, even after the eviction ban ends. They will instead work closely with anyone struggling financially to ensure they get the time and flexibility they need and the financial help they are entitled to.
The coronavirus crisis has shone a light on issues that Hackney’s 34,000 private renters have long had no choice but to accept – poor conditions, mistreatment from landlords, unstable tenancies and extortionate rents, all caused by a lack of action from government.
The temporary freeze on evictions provided just a sticking plaster. Now this is ending – and with the economic impact of the pandemic only just starting to hit
The temporary freeze on evictions provided just a sticking plaster. Now this is ending – and with the economic impact of the pandemic only just starting to hit – the prospect of being hit by an avoidable homelessness crisis is all too real.
As we work to rebuild a fairer Hackney, we urgently need long-term, ongoing support for private renters affected financially by coronavirus, a final end to no fault evictions, and a benefit system that matches the real cost of housing.
While we make the case for this, we’re here to help renters in Hackney – whether it’s signposting to financial support, giving advice around evictions, or dealing with rogue landlords who think they can get away with allowing unsuitable conditions or mistreating their tenants.
Find out more at: hackney.gov.uk/better-renting