The Welsh Government has today, 8 January, issued a statement confirming they have reviewed the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 and confirm that Wales will remain at alert level 4 with a further review on 29 January 2021.
Propertymark has been in contact with the Welsh Government today and confirms the housing market can continue to operate during this period. Everyone must make sure they are strictly adhering to the safety guidelines in place.
Evictions extension
In view of the announcement to remain in level 4, the Welsh Government has put in place a new set of eviction rules that essentially continue on the existing regulations that are due to expire on Monday 11 January 2021.
The Public Health (Protection from Eviction) (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 Regulations include the same exceptions as in the previous period and sit alongside the wider health regulations. These will be reviewed every three-weeks, and if the Welsh Government decides not to do anything the Regulations will continue until 31 March 2021.
NOTE: Court cases can continue; it is just bailiff eviction that can’t proceed.
Evictions announcement
Due to the prevalence of Coronavirus in Wales, it is no surprise that the Welsh Government has taken the decision to keep the country at alert level 4 and put in place a new set of eviction rules that essentially allow the existing regulations to continue. This means that there are no changes to the guidelines on house moves and related activity. We remain concerned about rent arrears and increasing household debt and landlords must not be left carrying an impossible financial burden. We will continue to work with the Welsh Government to ensure that the Tenant Saver Loan scheme is used wherever appropriate. Until the regulations are reviewed again, it is essential that agents continue to take all necessary steps to reduce the spread of the virus and work in accordance with the guidelines.
Timothy Douglas
Propertymark Policy and Campaigns Manager
Funding
The Welsh Government invested £50 million to tackle homelessness, to transform services to ensure there are permanent homes for people who are at risk of being homeless.
Earlier in 2020 an extra £1.4m was provided through the Single Advice Fund, to support people to manage problem debt and improve their household income. Part of this funding was used to create the Early Alert Scheme for rent arrears and other household debt in the private rented sector.
In addition, the Welsh Government’s Tenancy Saver Loan Scheme offers private sector tenants who are in rent arrears a low-cost loan that is paid directly to the landlord, to address debt and to prevent evictions. Both agents and landlords should keep in mind the availability of these potential financial support sources in order to ensure tenants are informed.