Cheshire East Labour Group calls for further extension of eviction ban

At the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, in March, the Government stated that nobody would lose their home as a result of financial hardship caused by the pandemic.

They instructed the courts to halt evictions, but the embargo was due to be lifted on Monday 24^th August, with fears that many thousands of tenants in privately rented properties especially would lose their homes within the next few weeks.

Last week, Cllr Sam Corcoran, Leader of Cheshire East Council, together with many other Council Leaders signed a joint letter addressed to Robert Jenrick MP, the Minister for Housing, in which they said ‘’Together, as the elected representatives of millions of people across the UK, we are calling on you to urgently extend the ban on evictions, and make good on your promise, that no-one lose their home as a result of COVID.’’

Dramatically, on Friday afternoon, and only a couple of days before the embargo was due to end, the Government extended the ban on landlords evicting tenants in England and Wales until 20 September.

However, this four week stay of execution, although it gives renters a short breathing space, merely ‘kicks the can down the road’ as the country’s housing crisis deepens, with little prospect that the short extension will allow the major changes that many in the housing sector are calling for. In most cases, until the end of March, renters will also get six months' notice if their landlord plans to evict them. The Cheshire East Labour Group pledges to do everything possible to help to families to stay in their own homes, and to support those who find themselves homeless.

Cllr Liz. Braithwaite, Labour Councillor for Macclesfield Central, said ‘There now needs to be a plan for what will happen after 20/9/20, as winter approaches. Whilst evictions for serious anti-social behaviour should be allowed, long promised legislation banning ‘no fault evictions’ should be brought forward immediately.’

Cllr Marilyn Houston, Labour Councillor for Crewe West said, ‘I am aware of many families in my ward that are sick with worry, as the devastating financial impact of the pandemic has reduced household incomes and they have been unable to keep up with the rent, and now fear being evicted.’