100,000 young people at risk of eviction when government ban ends this weekend

Over 100,000 young people are at risk of eviction when the government’s eviction ban ends on Sunday.

The ban was put in place in March, meaning landlords could not kick tenants out, but is due to end this weekend, despite widespread calls to extend it.

The 100,000 young people are part of nearly half a million tenants at risk, according to a report by District Councils’ Network, a group which represents 187 councils.

Housing charity Shelter estimates that the coronavirus crisis has caused 227,000 tenants in England to fall behind on rent arrears.

Landlords will also be able to resume Section 21, or “no fault”, evictions when the ban ends.

Groups including the British Medical Association are also warning that a resumption in evictions could lead to a spike in coronavirus, with those evicted being forced into crowded houses or even homelessness.

Labour leader Keir Starmer called for the government to change course, saying: “Boris Johnson needs to get his head out of the sand and extend the ban on evictions, now.”

Is your landlord threatening eviction? Will the end of the ban affect you? Tell us your story by emailing [email protected]

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