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Just a little thread on how thoroughly the government has been warned about the consequences of the evictions ban lifting which - as it stands - will happen on Monday:
16 April - Shelter warns one in five private renters set to lose their job due to pandemic. “We’re facing an onslaught of people suddenly unable to afford their rent," it said. Called for increased LHA rates to prevent arrears. Not done. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/one-in-five-private-renters-expect-to-lose-their-job-in-next-three-months-says-shelter-66079
22 April - Sadiq Khan calls for 'triple lock' protection for renters - extension to ban, boost to LHA and end of benefit cap. Not done https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/sadiq-khan-calls-for-triple-lock-protection-for-private-renters-in-london-during-covid-19-crisis-66147
1 May - London Councils warned of coming 'avalanche of evictions' once ban was lifted and said boosting the number of available social homes would be key to preventing homelessness. Nothing done. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/london-councils-warns-of-evictions-avalanche-after-suspension-66285?utm_source=Ocean%20Media%20Group&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11515645_IH-DAILY-1-5-2020-GR&dm_i=1HH2,6UTJ1,CCKBEX,RI008,1
4 May - Robert Jenrick sets out plans for a 'pre-action protocol' for evictions cases, asking landlords to "act in good faith". He is immediately warned by Shelter this would be "toothless". https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/government-to-give-renters-added-protection-after-covid-19-eviction-ban-is-lifted-jenrick-tells-mps-66319
7 May - Cross-party District Councils Network warn almost 500,000 renters could be at risk of homelessness when ban ends and calls for housing to be put at the heart of recovery. Nothing done https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/500000-on-brink-of-homelessness-because-of-pandemic-councils-warn-66358
8 May - Labour set out a five point plan to prevent mass evictions, including an extention to the ban, specific protection for COVID-related arrears and a boost to the benefits system. Nothing done. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/labour-sets-out-five-point-plan-for-renters-as-evictions-deadline-looms-66371
18 May - Shelter set out a plan to avoid the evictions 'cliff edge' including enhanced powers for judges to refuse eviction and boosts to Universal Credit. Nothing done. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/comment/the-clock-is-ticking-here-is-what-the-government-needs-to-do-to-avoid-the-evictions-cliff-edge-66468
20 May - Cross party select committee of MPs warn government protection measures are "toothless" and recommends a short piece of legislation to toughen protection. Not done. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/1216/documents/10264/default/
28 May - Sadiq Khan calls evictions ban 'ticking time bomb' and calls for further extension and measures to prevent renters https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/evictions-ban-deadline-is-a-ticking-time-bomb-says-sadiq-khan-66595
4 June - Shelter, Law Centres Network, CIH, NHF and others all make last ditch plea for extension to ban, calling for measures to make Section 21 and Ground 8 (arrears) evictions non-mandatory https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/pressure-builds-on-government-to-extend-evictions-ban-as-deadline-looms-66654
5 June - Government extends ban to August 24, but does not take any of the other steps identified as necessary to protect renters https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/government-extends-evictions-ban-by-two-months-66697
6 July - Shelter research reveals more than quarter of a million private renters are in arrears and could face eviction when ban lifts. Calls for changes to the law in 10 days left before Parliamentary recess. Not done. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/almost-a-quarter-of-a-million-renters-at-risk-of-eviction-when-ban-lifts-says-shelter-67059
10 July - Charity Crisis commissions barristers from Garden Court Chambers to draft legislation which would offer tougher protection to renters when eviction ban lifted. Not done https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/legislative-changes-needed-to-ensure-homelessness-does-not-rise-during-pandemic-says-crisis-67048
24 July - Welsh Government extends eviction notice periods to six months. Same step not taken in England https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/welsh-government-extends-notice-period-on-evictions
18 August - Labour writes to government warning of 'self-made homelessness crisis at the worst possible moment' and calls for an extension to the evictions ban. Nothing done. https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/labour-calls-for-eviction-ban-extension-to-avoid-self-made-homelessness-crisis-67570
20 August - Andy Burnham warns of 1930s style homelessness in northern England when evictions ban lifts and public health bodies including the British Medical Association write Jenrick warning lifting ban will risk COVID spike https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/northern-mayors-warn-of-1930s-style-homelessness-when-eviction-ban-ends-67581
21 August - with one working day left until the eviction ban is lifted on Sunday, government officials enter last ditch talks with judges to try and secure more protections for renters (according to LBC). With Parliament in recess, options are limited https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/exclusive-eviction-ban-extension/
And now, courts extend the ban on hearings for another four weeks at the very last moment - giving three more weeks of Parliamentary time to get something through. Will they use it? And why didn't they act before? https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/government-set-to-extend-eviction-ban-until-20-september-67599
