Skip to main content
Home
Menu Close

Utility menu

  • Why join BASW
  • Events
  • Media Centre

Popular on BASW

Campaigning and influencing
World social work day
Social work stands against poverty
People with lived experience
Career stages
Cost of living crisis

Main navigation

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
    • Governance
    • Social work around the UK
    • Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
    • International Work
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
    • Research and knowledge
    • Standards
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
    • Student Hub
    • Financial support
    • Groups and networks
    • Membership renewals
    • How to contact us

Bans on eviction enforcement - an update for social workers

During the pandemic, the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments all placed limits on enforcement of evictions in recognition of the number of people who were struggling with the financial consequences of the widespread economic shutdown

The people and families with whom social workers often work may find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness. Homelessness can be a complex and entrenched problem that may be linked to multiple issues, including mental ill-health, in-work poverty, substance misuse and No Recourse to Public Funds.

During the pandemic, the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments all placed limits on enforcement of evictions in recognition of the number of people who were struggling with the financial consequences of the widespread economic shutdown. There was no explicit restriction imposed in Northern Ireland. These bans have been extended previously but are now starting to come to an end, prompting concerns of a sharp rise in the number of households losing their homes. Policy on housing and homelessness is devolved and the situation with regard to enforcement of evictions varies across the UK.

The ending of bans on eviction enforcement has potential implications for the number of people presenting as homeless or at risk of homelessness to their local authorities. A survey conducted on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests 400,000 renting households have been issued with an eviction notice or told they may be evicted, with a disproportionate impact on families with three or more children, those from black or minority ethnic backgrounds and those on lower incomes. StepChange, the debt advice charity, has estimated that as many as 150,000 could be at risk of eviction in England alone, with Citizens Advice calculating that there are half a million private renters who are behind with rent payments.

England

Even with the restrictions on enforced eviction, it has been estimated that around 130 000 households were made homeless in England during the pandemic, according to figures calculated by The Observer using government statistics and Freedom of Information requests. A further 106 000 were assessed as being owed ‘prevention duty’.

On 31 May 2021, the ban on eviction enforcement introduced during the pandemic came to an end in England. As of 1 June, bailiffs are once again able to enforce evictions, although they are asked not to do so if someone in the property is self-isolating or has symptoms of Covid-19.

Scotland

In Scotland, the Scottish Parliament voted to extend the potential for a ban on enforcement of eviction orders until 31 March 2022 for all areas under Level 3 or Level 4 restrictions, reviewed every two months. Prior to this vote, it had been due to expire on 30 September 2021. In most circumstances, landlords must give 6 months’ notice. At the time of writing, all council areas in Scotland are level 2 or below which means the ban on enforcing eviction orders does not apply.

Wales

In Wales, the ban on enforced evictions was due to be lifted on 30 June 2021, but this has now been extended to 30 September 2021. Landlords who start eviction proceedings must give six months’ notice except in cases of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence which are treated in the same way as pre-pandemic.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland there is no ban on eviction enforcement. Landlords must give tenants 12 weeks’ notice before starting eviction proceedings until 30 September 2021.

In addition to the eviction enforcement ban coming to an end in England, the UK Government has reduced the amount of funding available for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) by local authorities in England and Wales. Although this allocation was increased during the pandemic in 2020/21, it has now been decreased to a level lower than the DHP budget for either 2017/18 or 2018/19. Welsh Government has announced it will provide an extra £4.1m to Welsh local authorities.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are the basis for calculating how much private sector renters receive towards their housing costs if they are receiving either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. Prior to the pandemic, these rates had been frozen for five years, creating a gap between housing support received and the private rental rates in any local area. In April 2020, they were restored to cover the lowest 30% of rents in a local area. However, they have now been frozen again in England, Scotland and Wales. LHA rates also remain unchanged from 2020/21 in Northern Ireland.

With the prospect of last year’s £20 increase to Universal Credit being removed in September 2021, concerns are heightened that households that are already struggling financially will be pushed to the brink of homelessness.

Signposting to services

If you are working with someone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, they are able to turn to their local authority housing department for advice. 

Shelter has information on their website for those facing the prospect of eviction which is tailored by location.

Advice on managing finances and debt is also available from a range of sources including Citizens Advice across the UK and Advice NI in Northern Ireland.

Article type
News
Topic
Ethics and human rights
Social justice, poverty and housing
Date
28 June 2021

Join us for amazing benefits

Become a member

Have a question?

Contact us

BASW: By your side, every step of the way

British Association of Social Workers is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England. 

Company number: 00982041

Wellesley House, 37 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, B2 5PP
+44 (0) 121 622 3911

Contact us

Follow us

Copyright ©2023 British Association of Social Workers | Site by Agile Collective | Privacy Policy

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
      • What social workers do
      • People with lived experience
      • Regulators & professional registration
      • World Social Work Day
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
      • Digital editions
      • Guidance for contributors
      • PSW articles
      • Advertising
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
      • Self-Employed Social Workers
        • Your tax affairs working through umbrella service companies
      • Agency and locum social work
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
      • BASW Commitee vacancies
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
      • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Social Work
      • BASW in Westminster
      • Relationship-based practice
      • Social Work Stands Against Poverty
      • This Week in Westminster | Blog Series
      • UK Covid Inquiry
      • Professional working conditions
        • Wellbeing toolkit
      • Housing & Homelessness
    • Governance
      • BASW AGM and general meetings
        • 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
        • BASW GM 2025
        • Previous BASW AGMs
      • BASW Council
        • BASW Council biographies
        • Vacancies on Council and committees 2025
      • Staff
      • Committees
      • BASW and SWU
      • Our history
      • 50 years
      • Special interest, thematic groups and experts
      • Nations
    • Social work around the UK
      • BASW Cymru
        • BASW Cymru Annual Conference 2024
        • Campaigns
      • BASW England
        • Campaigns
          • Homes Not Hospitals
          • Social Work in Disasters
          • 80-20 campaign
          • Review of Children’s Social Care
        • Meet the Team
          • BASW England Welcome Events
        • Our Services
          • Mentoring Service | BASW England
        • Social Work England
      • BASW Northern Ireland
        • About Us
        • Consultation responses
        • Find out about the BASW NI National Standing Committee
        • Political engagement
        • BASW NI & IASW's associate membership
      • SASW (BASW in Scotland)
        • About Us
        • Mental Health Officer's Conference 2025
        • Our Work
          • Cross-Party Group on Social Work (Scotland)
          • Social Work Policy Panel
          • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
          • Supporting refugees
          • Campaigns
        • Coalitions & Partnerships
        • Get Involved
    • Awards
      • Amazing Social Workers
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 1
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 2
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 3
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 5
      • The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
    • International Work
      • Israel and Palestine/Gaza conflict | BASW/SWU Information Hub
      • IFSW and other international social work organisations
      • Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth
      • Invasion of Ukraine | BASW Information Hub
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
      • General Taught Skills Programme
      • Student Learning
      • Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme
      • Practice Educator & Assessor Programme
      • Stepping Stones Programme
      • Expert Insight Series
      • Social Work in Disasters online training
        • Module 1: Introduction to Social Work in Disasters (Online training)
        • Module 2: Law, Policy and Best Practice (Social Work In Disasters Training)
        • Module 3: Person-centred and research informed practice within a multi-agency context (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
        • Module 4: Responding, using theory and self-care (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
      • Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
      • About the PCF
      • Point of entry to training
      • Readiness for practice
      • End of first placement
      • End of last placement
      • Newly qualified social worker (ASYE level)
      • Social worker
      • Experienced social worker
      • Advanced social worker
      • Strategic social worker
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
      • Older people
        • Learning resources
        • Useful resources to support social work capabilities with older people
      • Autistic people
        • An introduction to the Capability Statement
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • Autistic adults toolkit
            • Autistic adults toolkit introduction
            • Feedback tool
            • Induction tool
            • Introduction to video: Sylvia Stanway - Autistic not broken
            • References
            • Reflective tool
            • The role of the social worker with autistic adults
            • Top tips
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults
      • People with learning disabilities
        • Introduction
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • People with learning disabilities toolkit
            • People with learning disabilities toolkit introduction
            • Information sheet
            • Top tips
            • Induction tool
            • Reflective tool
            • References
            • Hair tool
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities for Social Work with Adults who have Learning Disability
    • Research and knowledge
      • Research journals
      • BASW bookshop
    • Standards
      • Code of Ethics
        • BASW Code of Ethics: Launch of 2021 refreshed version webinar
      • Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS)
      • Quality Assurance in Practice Learning (QAPL)
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
      • Become a volunteer coach (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
      • Independent member benefits
      • BASW Independents Toolkit
        • Section 1: Foundations for Independent Social Work
        • Section 2: Doing Independent Social Work
        • Section 3: Running your business
        • Section 4: Decisions and transitions
      • BASW Independents directory
      • Social Work Employment Services (SWES)
    • Student Hub
    • Financial support
      • International Development Fund (IDF)
    • Groups and networks
      • Special interest groups
        • Alcohol and other drugs Special Interest Group
        • BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG)
        • Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
        • Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR)
        • The Diaspora special interest group
      • Special Interest Group on Social Work & Ageing
      • Independents local networks
      • Local branches (England)
      • Groups and forums (Scotland)
      • Thematic groups (England)
        • Adult Social Work Thematic Group
        • Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS)
        • Children & Families Group
          • Children & Families Resources Library
          • Disabled Children's Sub-group
        • Criminal Justice Group
        • Emergency Duty Team Group
        • Mental Health Group
        • Professional Capabilities and Development Group
        • Social Workers in Health Group
        • Student & Newly Qualified Group
        • Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Group
      • Networks (Wales)
    • Membership renewals
    • How to contact us
  • Why join BASW
    • Benefits of joining BASW
      • The BASW UK University Social Work Education Provider Affiliation Scheme
    • Membership Categories
      • Student member
      • Working (qualified less than 5 years) Membership
      • Working (qualified more than 5 years) Membership
      • Independent membership
      • Newly qualified social worker
      • Retired membership
      • Unemployed/unpaid membership
    • Membership FAQs
    • Membership renewals
    • Membership fees
  • Events
  • Media Centre
    • BASW in the media
    • BASW News and blogs