The Generation Rent charity has slammed the government’s intention of virtually no evictions being carried out until at the very least January 11th.

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Baroness Alicia Kennedy, director of the group, says: "The government had an opportunity to protect renters from losing their homes, and have instead chosen not to act. A non-binding pause on bailiff action is completely inadequate.

“Eviction notices will be dropping through renters' doors throughout lockdown, and the courts will be open the entire time, putting pressure on renters to move out while the pandemic rages on. Although the government has asked bailiffs not to enforce possession orders, it’s not clear if tenants are legally protected. In the event that a bailiff goes against the guidance, renters will have few options.”

The present Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick Housing announced it has been agreed with bailiff organisations that no evictions will be carried out until after January 11th except in “the most egregious cases” which in plain English means tenants acting badly, such as, domestic abuse in social housing, anti-social behaviour as under those circumstances any landlord has the legal right to replace the perpetrators with new tenants.

It should also be stated that those tenants who have racked up high levels of rental arrears prior to Covid-19’s appearance, will also be evicted during this period.

Courts will remain open throughout the lockdown with the COVID-safe rules and procedures introduced in September; strict priorities will be given to cases that involve anti-social behaviour and other crimes.

It goes without saying that the Generation Rent director decries the government measures to safeguard the vast majority of tenants as nowhere near enough.

Baroness Kennedy asks the question: “The furlough scheme has been extended, mortgage holidays have been extended. Why then, have the government failed to extend protections against eviction?”

She demands that :“To keep renters safely in their homes, the government must end section 21 'no fault' evictions and evictions for Covid rent arrears, lift the benefit cap and increase Universal Credit to ensure it covers average rents. This weak guidance to bailiffs will not protect the most vulnerable, and simply delays the looming homelessness crisis”