CONCERNS are growing for Barrow tenants who fear evictions by landlords are becoming easier. It comes as the lifting of the ban on private landlords evicting tenants came into force.

Councillor Lee Roberts, Barrow Borough Council deputy leader and member for housing strategy and homelessness, says those affected by the relaxing of the law, can turn to the council for help. He said: “We know that we could see a potential increase in homelessness, following what has already been an extremely challenging period.

“This may be because people have struggled to keep up with their rent, or because private landlords may be looking to sell property to suit their own personal circumstances.

“However, throughout the pandemic, the team at Barrow borough council, has supported some of the most vulnerable people within our community and will continue to do so.

“We are absolutely committed to protecting our vulnerable groups by early intervention and engaging with homeless applicants.

“Our team is available during office hours for advice and assistance and out of hours for emergency homelessness cases.”

As on Jun1 the governments temporary moratorium on bailiff-led evictions, came to an end, allowing landlords to enforce court orders, including writs and warrants. Secondly the reduction in notice period for both Section 21's (S21) notices, will now be reduced from six to four months. Also the notice period for rent arrears as a result of late or non-payment, have dropped further to two months.

Claire Coulthurst, from Barrow Foodbank, based out of Abbey Road Baptist Church, thinks only time will tell if the relaxing of the law will have an affect. She said: “Its quite possible that the council are pushing this message as the ban is lifted on eviction in England, so it’s possible those in rent arrears may now face eviction within the coming months.

“On a whole we do not have a big issue with Homelessness in Barrow - as in people sleeping on the streets, but many people are sofa surfing. We haven’t see many people within the foodbank yet, who are fully homeless and if we do, we have some homeless packs we can give to the client, but I have only give out two so far in the past eight months.”

During the Hight of the pandemic the government put a temporary freeze on landlords abilities to evict tenants. In the Queen’s Speech last month, it was announced that the government will publish a white paper in the autumn, with further protections for renters including proposals to abolish so-called ‘no-fault’ evictions.