A RENTERS’ union has accused the government of “putting the needs of 20 million renters below the needs of businesses” after ministers today extended the eviction ban for retailers.

Businesses will be safe from evictions until at least the end of September after ministers today announced the June 30 date would be extended  — a month after the ban on eviction for renters ends in August.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said he has decided to extend the scheme to “protect those who are unable to pay rent from eviction so that businesses have the security they need to plan for their futures.”

Today’s move follows a measure introduced in April to temporarily ban commercial landlords from taking legal action against tenants who have not paid their rent in order to protect them from “aggressive rent collection” during the crisis. 

However renters’ unions argue that the government is prioritising businesses over renters by giving them more support. 

Commenting on the extension of the commercial eviction ban Acorn national organiser Anny Cullum told the Morning Star: “This highlights the government is still putting the needs of 20 million renters below the needs of businesses, a theme we have seen not just during the pandemic but across their 10 years in office.”

She said that renters are being “left behind” despite many struggling during the crisis, adding that “organised renters’ power is the only thing that will protect the roofs over our heads.”

Acorn is calling for an extension of the renters’ eviction ban and for all rent to be frozen during the crisis as well as arrears incurred as result of Covid-19 to be written off.