Housing Minister John Healey plans to give new legal protection to tenants vulnerable to being evicted with little or no notice if their private landlord is repossessed. When mortgage borrowers have let their properties without the knowledge or consent of lenders, tenants currently have very limited rights if the property is repossessed, which means they can face eviction at very short notice. CLG estimate between 2,000-3,000 households could be affected this year.

John Healey is consulting on proposals to change the law so that tenants in this position to receive two months’ notice to vacate the property – giving them time to find suitable alternative accommodation. He is also calling on lenders to use alternatives to repossession, such as appointing Receivers of Rent to collect rent and manage occupied properties.

The law has already extended the notice given to tenants that a possession hearing will take place – giving them up to seven weeks’ warning. Healey said,“It is wrong that through no fault of their own these families can find themselves on the street with little prior warning.”