The proportion of private renters in arrears in England has more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the latest Housing Resilience Study.
These statistics reveal that in April-May 2021 seven per cent of private renters were in arrears, up from three per cent in 2019/20. This amounts to over 780,000 renters.
An extra nine per cent indicated that they expected to fall behind with their rents over the next 12 months. This comes despite private rents having fallen in real terms.
With over a quarter (27 per cent) of private renters having reported difficulties in meeting their heating costs in the same period, the National Residential Landlords Association is warning that with rising bills now adding to their burden, many renters will struggle to pay off Covid-related rent debts.
While the association welcomes the Government's decision to invest £65 million in helping those most vulnerable renters it believe the move does not go far enough.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Landlords are being put in a difficult position. They either try to shoulder rent debts they cannot afford or seek to repossess properties as a final resort.
"While it is great news that Ministers have listened to us and agree funding is needed to help keep tenants in their homes, £65 million does not fully reflect the scale of the problem.
"With the Bank of England warning rent debts could pose a significant risk to the economic recovery, the Chancellor must go further."