Agency network backs calls for hardship loans to help tenants struggling to pay rent

Belvoir is backing calls for hardship loans to be made available to tenants in England who are in rental arrears because of the pandemic.

The agency franchise network is supporting a suggestion from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) for the Government to provide interest-free loans to cover rent payments for those struggling to pay.

Campaigners say it could work similar to a Tenant Saver Loan Scheme launched in Wales this week to cover rent for those who have fallen into arrears since March 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

Money is paid direct to the landlord or agent.

Dorian Gonsalves, chief executive of Belvoir, said: “Now that there is official confirmation that the UK has fallen into recession, and the furlough scheme is due to end in October, we believe that it is more important than ever for the Government to introduce a loan scheme similar to the one operating in Wales.

“Such a scheme will ensure that tenants will be able to pay their rent, and landlords can continue providing much needed housing for the private rented sector (PRS).

“The PRS is entering this recession in a completely different position to the one of 2008, and more people than ever are renting property.

“Home owners with a mortgage who have been financially impacted by Covid-19 have already been able to access a mortgage holiday, and we believe it is only fair that tenants have access to a loan scheme similar to the one operational in Wales.”

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4 Comments

  1. Gromit

    its unoriginal and far too sensible for this Government to adopt.

    Too big a loss of face!!

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  2. The_Maluka

    “Money is paid direct to the landlord or agent.”

    Someone has a sense of humour!

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    1. AlwaysAnAgent

      Isn’t the rent due to the landlord?

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  3. PossessionFriendUK39

    Why the Hell wasn’t this launched at the START of the pandemic,  Not the End  ?

    The answer is that labour would have been up in arms about State money being paid to landlords,  at the same time as Bangam Debonairre is criticising Landlords for evicting Tenant that haven’t paid !

    Yes, labour ( and sadly some Conservative politcians ) believe Private landlords should take over the state’s welfare responsibilities and subsidise their tenants rent.

    I know it sounds crazy, you know it sounds crazy, but that Politicians with not a clue about reality in the PRS let alone the housing market think.

    Or to use Labours slogan, ” Roll up, roll up, – everything’s Free,”  paid for by the Tax-payer ( As more of them are Conservative voters )

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