Responding to new Government funding to tackle Covid rent debts, Chris Norris, policy director at the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “We welcome the announcement of this funding and urge local authorities to target it at those tenants most struggling with Covid rent debts. 

“It is great news that those households worst hit by Covid-related arrears may be able to access financial support. However, £65m does not fully reflect the scale of the problem. NRLA analysis has put the figure of Covid rent debts at over £300m. 

“With warnings that rent debts could pose a risk to the economic recovery and the Government admitting that many landlords are highly vulnerable to arrears the Chancellor must go further.” 

Government data suggests that 7% of private sector tenants in England were in arrears in April-May 2021.