Ban home repossessions and evictions over the Christmas period

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to bring in an emergency ban on banks repossessing people’s homes over the Christmas period.

It comes as analysis by the party revealed a “nightmare before Christmas,” with roughly 62,500 homeowners nationwide due to see their mortgage rate hiked between now and 31 December.

Locally in Waltham Forest there were 30 possession warrants and 10 mortgage repossessions in the last 12 months.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Government to immediately bring in its long-promised ban on no-fault evictions to protect renters, along with an increase in housing benefits and a moratorium on evictions based on rent arrears to protect those facing soaring rental prices. In Waltham Forest, official stats show 138 tenant evictions in the past year.

Tom Addenbrooke, Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Housing warned the government must act now, adding that no one should face losing their home over Christmas because the Conservatives crashed the economy.

The Liberal Democrat proposals would include a temporary ban on banks repossessing people’s homes over the Christmas period. The party is also calling for a Mortgage Protection Fund to support homeowners hardest hit by soaring mortgage prices.

The latest figures nationally show a significant increase in people at risk of seeing their home repossessed, with 3,680 mortgage possessions claims in the courts between July and September, up 30% on the same period last year.

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Housing, Tom Addenbrooke said:

“Families in Waltham Forest are facing a nightmare before Christmas, with monthly mortgage and rent payments going through the roof. The anxiety of eviction hangs over far too many people's heads.

“The Conservative Government put hundreds of pounds on people’s mortgages through their disastrous mini-budget. The very least they could now do is take responsibility for fixing this mess and protecting families on the brink.

“No one should face losing their home this Christmas because the Conservative Government crashed the economy.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey added:

“Jeremy Hunt must act now before it’s too late, by bringing in a temporary ban on home repossessions and a mortgage rescue fund to support those hardest hit. The government must also finally bring in its long-promised ban on no-fault evictions to protect renters at risk of homelessness this winter.”