

Eviction specialist Paul Shamplina says the government’s recent eviction and mortgage holiday measures have given landlords no option but to hunker down and work with tenants.

Paul Shamplina, the UK’s leading residential evictions expert and co-founder of Landlord Action, has called on landlords to work collaboratively with their tenants as the Coronavirus crisis intensifies.

His comments follow the government’s decision this week to bring forward emergency legislation to block landlords from evicting tenants who cannot pay their rent because of job losses or having to look after their children as a result of coronavirus.

The move, announced by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, revealed that new eviction attempts will be banned for three months to give hard-pressed workers in private and social accommodation breathing space during the economic crisis.

But, to make sure landlords do not suffer, Mr Jenrick also revealed that buy-to-let mortgages would also be covered by the 12-week payment break.

“These are unprecedented times and all landlords must now work collaboratively with their tenants to come to solutions to get us through this public health crisis and move forward after,” says Shamplina.

“The measures taken are right and fair; no one wants to see a tenant forced out of their home due to loss of income as a result of coronavirus, nor does anyone want to see landlords face unmanageable debts.

Tenant mediation

“With this in mind, we will shortly be launching a tenant mediation service which will involve Landlord Action working collaboratively with the Property Redress Scheme to offer support to both landlords and tenants to come to suitable arrangements for the future.

“We are awaiting confirmation from the government as to the details of the suspension, a possible verification process, and information on what will happen with current possession claims that are going through the court process.

“I would urge landlords to be as flexible as possible with tenants facing difficulties with their rent payments arising from the current situation.”



  1. What about landlords who don’t have a mortgage but rely on the rent income for there pension , also if you have a bad tenant damaging your property and you cannot evict them are we to get the cost back of the government. We have already seen the irisponseible behavourof some young people not follow what the gov pricey is

  2. what about cases where an eviction order has been made already. does that mean if the tenant has to look after children then a bailiff order cannot be granted?

  3. I have been following social media comments from tenants. I keep seeing no understanding that the landlord actually has to have a mortgage to benefit from mortgage payment breaks. I’m not sure that Government quite “gets’ this either. Another area of lack of understanding is who landlords are in UK – not corporate owners but private individuals, maybe owning mostly in the range of 1-3 properties. Finally in a nation geared toward being employees there is no understanding why landlords might own properties to rent. Government seems as oblivious as tenants on these last two points. The presumption appears to be as a savings vehicle. Sometimes true, but what of the notion of an income vehicle, especially for retirees? Blokes and lady blokes probably a bit like the tenant. Really can’t afford savings and simply scrape by on monthly income from the rental properties. How can such a landlord offer to negotiate with the tenant? The point is simply that if Government is offering income support to the needy, rent is simply an element that is paid from that income. Why the focus on landlords and rent rather than any other element in the basket of goods and services that tenant income supports?

  4. I’d like more clarification on what to do about the interest that banks will be adding to the mortgage loan during these payment holidays – who is responsible for covering that additional cost? Is it the tenant who asks to defer their rent, creating the need for a payment holiday, or the landlord who agrees to it in order to work with their tenants as instructed, or will the government step in and cover these fees given that ‘nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing’? Also what guidance is there on how to structure a repayment plan, if incomes are likely be suppressed past the 3 month payment break offered? There is no guarantee this will be over in 3 months so tenants could accrue a sizeable debt of rent owing which they may be unable to repay, and many landlords would not be able to manage without the income. I understand from recent announcents that 80% of wages will be paid to ensure people remain employed, therefore I guess it makes sense to perhaps reduce rent by 20% where possible as an option to help tenants, rather than immediately seeking a payment holiday and accruing further interest charges? Technically if everyone is staying at home, then their outgoings should be less anyway……

  5. I have two properties, mortgages have been paid off after 25 years, I rely on this income as I have a basic pension. How am I supposed to manage? I have very good tenants at the moment and hope they don’t need this payment break. Could we put a prepayment plan in action before anyone needs this break rather than leaving it until the end when some landlords don’t have a chance in hell of getting any monies back

  6. It’s not great if you are self employed and your income has collapse to now have a problem as a landlord with no rents coming in either not paying a mortgage due does give you any income . Govt needs to help both groups

  7. Realistically tenants will never pay the money back if they take a three month brake on an average rental of £700 a month your looking at a £2100 loss of income . That’s going to add another £175.00 a month to the rent on a 12 month repayment plan . The government have got to underwrite this loss . Also what are we supposed to do about gas safe inspections , 1) engineers are not working because of the shutdown , 2) how are we supposed to pay for them and repairs , no money means repairs can’t be done .

  8. What can be done about tenants who just up and leave because they can’t afford the rent? Or give notice To terminate on a fixed term agreement without actually being affected by Coronavirus (I.e. they haven’t lost their jobs)

  9. I am really angry every thing is about the tenants poor tenants they are getting help as usual .What about us landlords ??? We are getting absolutely nothing 3 months holiday please that’s a joke it will be added to the mortgage and we have to pay interest on it hello why can’t we have 3 months free mortgage paid buy government ??? This is not fair at all. Everyone thinks landlords are all rich and they can afford it and that’s not the case even if they are why should they lose ? We need help too.We all work hard and provide a excellent services .

Leave a Reply to Davjd Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here