Tenant Group Demands Freeze on Evictions and Rent Increases During Flood Repairs

ACORN, a tenant advocacy group, has called for a national freeze on evictions and rent increases during flood-related repairs to rental properties in England. The group argues that tenants often face difficult choices between living in unsafe conditions or risking eviction when requesting necessary repairs following flooding.

ACORN Highlights Lack of Tenant Protection

In a policy briefing published by ACORN, the group states: “In England, landlords are responsible for making repairs to a property after flooding, and tenants can claim for a rent reduction while the repairs are carried out. While this is a good thing in principle, it is gravely undermined by the lack of protection from eviction for the tenants through this process.”

ACORN emphasises that tenants may remain in poor living conditions due to fear of eviction if they insist on repairs. The group insists that tenants “should not have to choose between living in a potentially dangerous property and risking eviction.”

Proposed Measures to Support Tenants

To address these concerns, ACORN is urging a freeze on both rent rises and evictions during flood damage repairs and for a period after completion. The group states: “There should be a freeze on evictions and rent rises during any improvement works and after they have been completed for a certain period, in order to ensure tenants feel empowered to demand repairs and to make sure that costs are not passed onto them.”

Until national protections are introduced, ACORN recommends that housing providers with properties in flood-prone areas implement policies guaranteeing no evictions or rent increases in the event of flooding. The group also calls for funding to be made available to community organisations like ACORN to support flood resilience projects.

Landlord Responsibilities and Tenant Insurance

While ACORN focuses on tenant protections, it does not mention that landlords are legally responsible for repairs to the property and any landlord-provided furnishings after flooding. Typically, landlord insurance policies cover the costs of repairs and alternative accommodation during the repair period.

Tenants, however, must take out contents insurance themselves to protect their personal belongings. According to previous reports by Property118, only 46% of private tenants in the UK currently hold contents insurance, leaving many vulnerable to loss in flood events.

What This Means for Landlords and Letting Agents

Landlords should be aware of the ongoing calls for enhanced tenant protections during flood repairs, including potential freezes on rent increases and evictions. While the current legal framework places repair responsibilities on landlords, there may be increasing pressure from tenant groups and possibly future policy changes to safeguard renters during such events.

Letting agents and property managers should advise landlords to review their insurance coverage and consider developing clear policies for flood-prone properties that address tenant concerns about eviction and rent changes during repair periods. Encouraging tenants to obtain contents insurance can also help mitigate disputes over personal property losses.

Suggested internal link anchors

• tenant protections during flooding
• landlord repair responsibilities
• contents insurance for tenants
• rent reduction during repairs
• eviction policies in flood events
• flood resilience projects
• landlord insurance coverage
• private rented sector flooding
• tenant advocacy groups
• property management flood policies

TLA update

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