Support call for renters

About one in 10 private renters are behind with their payments, according to Citizens Advice.

The charity estimates the 11% could equate to about half a million people being in arrears, if its findings were projected across the UK.

It's figures show than, on average, people who h ave f a l l e n b e h i n d o n rent now owe £730 – which could potentially mean around £360m is owed nationally.

More than half (58%) of those who were behind on rent had no rent arrears in February 2020.

Alistair Cromwell, acting chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "Unlike people who own their homes, private tenants have had no structured way to d e fe r pay m e nt s and, even though many landlords are trying their best to support them, thousands could face eviction without further help."