Tenant loan scheme goes live

The Welsh government’s Tenancy Saver Loans, allowing renters facing financial hardship to apply for low-interest loans to cover their rental arrears built during the Covid -19 pandemic, has been officially launched.

The scheme, which will apply to the Private Rented Sector only, will allow tenants to borrow money to cover the rent owed, with the cash then paid directly to the landlord or agent.

As yet there is no cap on the amount that can be borrowed and the tenant will be given up to five years to repay the loan at 1% APR.

Applications will stay open until 31 March 2021 but will not be open to those who had substantial arrears of more than two months’ rent before 1 March 2020.

The minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James, said: “We recognise the constant pressure that the coronavirus is putting on tenants and landlords. While we have already taken steps to alleviate some of this pressure, such as extending the temporary six month notice period for eviction and funding Citizens Advice Cymru to deliver the Early Alert Scheme for rent arrears and other household debt for tenants, we want to go one step further. That’s why we’re supporting a low interest loan scheme that provides financial assistance for both tenants and their landlords.

“The Tenancy Saver Loan Scheme will directly support tenants who are struggling with their rent due to coronavirus to stay in their homes, address their debt and avoid eviction, whilst ensuring landlords receive the rent they are owed.

“We are committed to ensuring no-one is made homeless as a result of the pandemic and this scheme is part of our long term strategy to help people manage their debt, prevent homelessness and where it cannot be prevented ensure it is rare, brief and non-recurrent.”

Tenants can apply by contacting Credit Unions directly or completing an online enquiry form creditunionsofwales.co.uk/tsl/.

Tenants can also be referred through the Welsh Government Early Alert scheme for rent arrears and other PRS debt which is being delivered by Citizens Advice Cymru.

Claire Savage, policy officer for Credit Unions, commented: “Seven credit unions will be providing the Tenancy Saver Loans across Wales, working with Welsh government and the WCVA to provide a financial lifeline to those who have fallen into rent arrears due to the Covid-19 pandemic and are not able to get other forms of support.

“The loans are offered at a very low interest rate of just 1% APR and will be subject to the usual affordability checks to ensure that we are helping private sector tenants keep their homes while not building up unsustainable debt.”

The UK government is being urged to follow the example set in Wales, as well as in Scotland, by developing a similar low-interest, guaranteed hardship loans to help tenants in England pay off rent arrears built as a consequence of the current pandemic.

Research by YouGov for the National Residential Landlords Association found that private landlords with properties in England may have collectively lost up to £437m in lost rental income as a result of Covid-19.

According to the study, almost a fifth of landlords had lost up to half of their usual rental income.

Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), commented: “Our research still shows that private landlords across England have faced rental loses of up to £437m as a result of Covid-19.

“It is vital that the government now follows the example set in Wales and Scotland and develops interest free, government guaranteed hardship loans to help tenants pay off rent arrears built as a result of the pandemic.

“We cannot expect them, or landlords, the vast majority of whom are individuals without the means to absorb significant losses, to continue to struggle without support.”

x

Email the story to a friend



5 Comments

  1. Property Poke In The Eye

    This should be done UK wide.

    Report
    1. AlwaysAnAgent

      Scotland has already done it. England is lagging behind as usual.

      Report
  2. Eric Walker

    An excellent initiative. It helps landlords & tenants, relieves pressure on the Courts and the local authority housing stock. Let’s hope England takes note.

    Report
  3. CountryLass

    This seems like an excellent idea. I especially like that the money is sent directly to the Landlord or Agent; I assume that if the Tenant defaults though, it is the Tenant that gets chased, not the one who actually received the money?

    Report
  4. Gloslet

    It seems an excellent and long overdue imitative.

    It will be interesting to see how Shelter put a spin on this to continue their anti-landlord /agent agenda ?

    Report
X

You must be logged in to report this comment!

Comments are closed.

Thank you for signing up to our newsletter, we have sent you an email asking you to confirm your subscription. Additionally if you would like to create a free EYE account which allows you to comment on news stories and manage your email subscriptions please enter a password below.