8th
Jun 2021
With the ban of bailiff-enforced evictions being recently lifted a Labour council states that it will be “catastrophic” for one of the UK’s most loved cities.
And needless to say it is now demanding that taxpayers should fund the paying off of PRS tenants who have fallen into arrears incurred by the pandemic.
Oxford’s local authority is demanding the government must give help to renters with a statement that says: “The resumption of evictions could be catastrophic in Oxford as nearly half of our city’s homes are privately rented and the economic impact of Covid-19 will last long after the end of the eviction ban. The government needs to take action now to prevent a potential wave of homelessness among private tenants who have fallen into arrears through no fault of their own.”
Around half (49 per cent) of the city’s households are renting homes making it the largest housing ‘provider’ in Oxford.
The city council states that Oxford is “the least affordable city in the UK” and fears that the ending of the ban will undoubtedly cause many to face the danger of homelessness, due to Covid related arrears.
The council claims that with evictions starting to take place again it will seriously weaken its efforts in reducing rough sleeping and homelessness in the city.
From the start of the pandemic the local authority has had to find temporary shelter for 355 people who were sleeping rough or were in danger of becoming homeless, of which 195 were found long term housing.
The council statement goes on: "Prevention is always better and more cost effective than cure. Helping tenants pay their rent arrears would be the easiest and most straightforward way to avoid evictions and prevent homelessness. It would also ensure that landlords receive the rent they are due.”
Oxford council - which spends some £500,000 a year on independent advice centres to help individuals with issues such as arrears, debt and money management - has set up a welfare reform team which “gives expert advice and support for any tenant having problems paying their rent … This can include temporary financial help to pay the rent.“
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