In a controversial move, ministers have extended the ban on evictions in England and Wales. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced the four-week extension on Friday.

Courts had been due to resume cases on Monday after a five-month pause. This second ban extension means landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict the defaulting tenant until September 20.

This announcement also comes with a new six-month evictions notice period in England until March 31. Jenrick hopes that this measure will provide extra protection for tenants suffering financial hardship. This period, however, won't apply to serious cases. "It is right that the most egregious cases, for example, those involving anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse perpetrators, begin to be heard in court again," Jenrick said. "So when courts reopen, landlords will once again be able to progress these priority cases."

Blanket Extension Unacceptable

The National Residential Landlords Association expressed dismay over this move, calling it unacceptable and government failure. Chief Executive, Ben Beadle, said:

"A blanket extension is unacceptable, especially so close to the deadline. This announcement satisfies no-one. Landlords have been left powerless in exercising their legal right to deal with significant arrears unrelated to Covid-19, anti-social behaviour and extremely disruptive tenants who make life miserable for their neighbours and housemates. Private landlords cannot be expected to foot the bill for government failure."

Landlord Groups and Lawyers have criticized the extension, saying that even after the ban expires, "there is little expectation of people who have faced COVID-related financial problems being swiftly told to leave properties."

A Few Weeks To Pack Their Bags

Leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, said: "Such a brief extension means there is a real risk that this will simply give renters a few more weeks to pack their bags."

"The ban should not be lifted until the government has a credible plan to ensure that no one loses their home as a result of coronavirus."

He considers the move an "11th-hour U-Turn." He says Prime Minister Boris Johnson had "stuck his head in the sand" for months calling the government to go further. "The ban should not be lifted until the government has a credible plan to ensure that no-one loses their home as a result of coronavirus."

A Wave Of Homelessness

Shelter, a homelessness charity, conducted a survey and found that more than 170,000 private tenants have been threatened with eviction by their landlords or letting agent. Since the pandemic started, about 230,000 in England have fallen into arrears.

Chief executive of Shelter, Polly Neate, said: "It is right for the government not to lift the ban when it risks exposing people to eviction and the threat of homelessness with no means of defence. The government must use this short window of time wisely to put proper safeguards in place for renters."