Mary-Anne Bowring, group managing director at Ringley and creator of automated lettings platform, PlanetRent comments: “There’s no doubt that thousands of renters are struggling to pay their rent, through no fault of their own, as they may have seen a cut in their income or worse, lost their job altogether.

“These renters could be faced with losing their homes once the suspension on evictions comes to an end next month, and we should be doing more to ensure they have a safe and affordable home during this outbreak and beyond. “While the government is right to ensure no-one is made homeless during the pandemic, more help is required for tenants in financial distress and landlords who are being hit financially as a result of late or missed rental payments., “Tenants and landlords should be working together in what is a difficult time for everybody, and should look at other arrangements to avoid evictions. “Some renters may need more financial assistance from the government, most likely in the form of higher benefit payments, but cancelling rents as some renters’ unions have suggested, would punish pensioners and landlords whose rental property is their main business.”