The London Renters Union (RLU) is arranging a protest as a ‘day of action’ to make the government protect tenants whether or not they have been impacted by the pandemic.

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The demonstrations will be held on Monday 24th August outside Gee Street Magistrates Court at 10:30am, Stratford Magistrates Court at 12:30pm as well as other targets during the day.

According to the LRU thousands of tenants have signed up to its ‘Can’t Pay Won’t Pay’ campaign, and will be showing renters how to deal with eviction threats as well as how to stop being physically evicted.

This of course has been fuelled by politicians, as well as the mayor of London, media and homeless charities saying that England will see “a new wave of homelessness” starting from the resumption of repossession cases from Monday 24th August.

The government introduced the eviction ban in March as part of its plan to protect those who would be financially burdened because of Covid-19.

New repossession cases and those already underway before March were suspended until 25th June throughout England and Wales and were later extended to August 23rd.

From countless reports and threats of massive cases of homelessness after the evictions ban being lifted, twenty one politicians have jointly lobbied the government to make available sufficient funds for councils over the next twelve months to house rough sleepers.

The Welsh government has just announced it has doubled the notice period for evictions on or after July 24th to six months, any cases regarding anti social behaviour will still have the 3 month notice period.

The SNP is proposing that it may extend the eviction bans on tenants until March 2021.

Zara Haqani, a spokesperson for the LRU, said: “The government promised that no one would be made homeless because of Coronavirus, so why is the government refusing to extend the evictions ban? They should be cancelling rent debt and scrapping ‘no fault’ evictions.

“Instead, they are aiding and abetting landlords like mine. My husband and I can’t afford the rent, but our landlord is threatening our family with eviction in the middle of a pandemic. We try to shield our children from the stress and misery, but sometimes it’s just not possible.

“That’s why we’re resisting. At the London Renters Union, we are sharing skills and advice on how to stop your landlord trying to evict you, and how to resist eviction if the bailiffs do turn up.

“When the courts reopen on the 24th, we will be protesting outside to shame this government and their landlord friends, and to show solidarity with renters being kicked out of their homes.

“On Monday they will be made homeless in the middle of a pandemic, but on Tuesday it could be us.”

Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: “There is a ridiculous amount of self entitlement to free housing under the guise of apparent affordability issues, there will almost certainly be other demonstrations across the country with many tenants wanting to jump on the non payment bandwagon.

“These protest groups fail to understand that they will further exacerbate homelessness as landlords who are similarly running a business as any shop or retail store, will simply leave the market.

“Some politicians are not living in the real world as they have no experience whatsoever in running a business or the ability to understand the implications of giving away free and easy money for all, except landlords.”