Claims that thousands of private renters could be on the brink of losing their home have been dismissed by landlord trade body the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).
A survey from homelessness charity Shelter found that 3% of adults in the private rented sector have fallen into arrears since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
And the charity has warned that an estimated 227,000 renters across the country who have fallen behind with payments could lose their homes when the evictions ban ends on August 23.
Housing organisations collaborate to create rent arrears guidance
Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Throughout the lockdown, our surveys show that the vast majority of landlords have been doing all they can to keep people in their homes.
“Our recently published guidance supports tenants and landlords to hold discussions about how to address rent arrears and sustain tenancies.
“It is important though to distinguish between tenants affected by COVID-19 and those who were building rent arrears before lockdown, sometimes for several months and sometimes wilfully.
“When the courts re-start hearing possession cases the latter should be the priority along with instances where tenants are committing anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse.”
