Lib Dems call for a Christmas evictions ban

Lib Dems call for a Christmas evictions ban

0:01 AM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago 12

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The Government is being urged to implement a ban on evictions over Christmas in the private rented sector by the Liberal Democrats.

The party’s leader, Sir Ed Davey says that thousands of families face ‘a nightmare before Christmas’.

In addition to the eviction ban for renters, Sir Ed is also calling for the government to prevent banks from repossessing homes over the festive period.

He says that ‘no-one should face losing their home’ and highlights that rising interest rates have affected lots of homeowners after the market turmoil that followed Liz Truss’s mini-Budget.

The Lib Dems say that 62,500 mortgage holders will see the end of their fixed rate deals with many moving onto higher rates. Their repayments could increase by £3,000.

Offer grants of £300 a month to homeowners

The party now wants the government to offer grants of £300 a month to homeowners for up to a year for any homeowner who sees their mortgage repayment increase by more than 10% of their household income.

The government says it has met with finance lenders to ensure that those mortgage holders who are struggling financially are being supported.

The Lib Dems say they also want to see an immediate ban on evictions and home repossessions between now and 31 December – it would run along similar lines to the pandemic eviction ban.

Sir Ed says he wants the government to implement urgent legislation before Parliament’s Christmas recess to re-enact a ban on no-fault evictions.

Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being banned

The Lib Dems are also calling for housing benefit to be increased and for the implementation of the legislation that would see Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being banned.

In response, a government spokesperson said an extra £50 million was being delivered to help prevent evictions and help secure places for people to live in.

The spokesperson added that the most vulnerable households were being offered cost of living payments and support with their energy bills.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the government is looking to ensure a fair deal for renters and deliver on its commitment to abolish section 21 evictions.


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Comments

Mick Roberts

12:52 PM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago

Every time they do this, another so many Landlords pack up & supply demand, remaining tenants have less choice, more expensive rent.
Make it better for the one person being evicted, make it worse for the next 1000 tenants looking for a house. Don't stack up in my book. But gets 'em more votes & lets tenants hear what they want to hear.

When they gonna' wake up & realise Hang on, let's look at the stats, we making it worse aren't we.

As soon as a Landlord can't get his house back (which is now too), u won't have any Landlords to provide the house in the first place. Someone please educate these people what happened pre-1998 before Maggie Thatcher did some common sense cause they couldn't house anyone.

Martin Thomas

13:34 PM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago

More trite nonsense from the LibDums, trying to grab a headline. I very much doubt that the government could bring in a legal immediate ban on evictions as the LibDums propose in any event - and they know that.
As for increasing interest rates, they have settled down now and if they are higher than they were several months ago, that is due to the BoE increasing the base rate and raised interest rates internationally. People on fixed rates knew the risk that rates might rise eventually when they took out their mortgage.....

NewYorkie

14:03 PM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago

No landlords I know would do that. However, in reality, evictions won't happen over the festive period. It would apply only to those with possession already granted by the courts, and even if a bailiff could be found to work over that period, all a tenant need do is mention covid, monkeypox, or diphtheria, and the bailiff won't enter. I'm sure shelter is on the ball!

John Grefe

14:05 PM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago

As usual LibDums (nicely worded?) by Martin Tomas are a bunch of socialists with yellow coats on who despise anyone risking their neck to make money! Everyone for years have known that interest rates were artificially low and should have carried out a proper business plan assuming rates will go up? More fool you, I don't have much sympathy for BTL or home owners in this situation. We have a small portfolio with LTV 50% or lower. Don't be so greedy?

Reluctant Landlord

14:09 PM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago

oh shut up you muppet!

Rod

14:30 PM, 15th December 2022, About A year ago

As NY says, this is pure political puffery. Not only do the court have to have approved the eviction, claims of infectious disease, strikes, staff holiday and winter weather will also slow down the bailiffs. If Sir Ed was referring to the courts, he should know that, like politicians, they will already be preparing for their festive recess, so won't be looking at new cases until the second week of the new year.

For a change, the government have got one thing right, the banks lent the money, they have the repayment records and security on the property, so leave them to provide any leniency. Why should the rest of us fund a grant of up to £36,000 for those who failed to plan their finances?

Clearly, Sir Ed must have a charmed constituency if no-one has had issues with antisocial tenants and landlords struggling to evict them. Abolishing S21 will definitely bring an explosion of tenants and neighbours whose lives are blighted when landlords are no longer able to rely on S21 to remove the miscreants.

Chris @ Possession Friend

18:27 PM, 16th December 2022, About A year ago

There is already a moratorium of Bailiff enforcement of Possession orders that have been increasing in length each Xmas.

This year from 13th December until 10th January, a MONTH basically. !!!

Reluctant Landlord

12:11 PM, 17th December 2022, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 16/12/2022 - 18:27
really - in England??? Not heard about this...

where is that info??? I've got a S21 just about to expire so will be looking at next stage possession order to be issued from the courts.

Are you saying the courts wont issue anything until after 10th Jan 2023???

Mick Roberts

12:26 PM, 17th December 2022, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 16/12/2022 - 18:27
Wow Chris, so we can't go for bailiff's if u a generous Landlord & left it over Xmas, it's now till at least 10 Jan.

Chris @ Possession Friend

10:02 AM, 18th December 2022, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 17/12/2022 - 12:11
Bailiffs are instructed Not to ' enforce - execute ' between those dates.

There were similar dates in recent years, its just that they are creeping longer and longer. - without anyone ( @NRLA, are you listening ? ) making a 'fuss'

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