Housing organisations in the North have warned that they expect a massive spike in evictions once the lockdown ends.
The same warning was also issued by Iain Malcolm, the leader of South Tyneside Council, who said: "Our housing officers do have very real concerns about a potential spike in evictions due to rent arrears."
Concern has focused on people in privately-rented accommodation who have been struggling to pay their rent because their income has fallen.
The Government introduced emergency legislation in March banning landlords from starting proceedings to evict tenants for at least a three month period.
But it means some tenants could rack up huge rent arrears, which they will be expected to pay eventually, and some could continue to have reduced incomes as a result of the economic downturn and increase in unemployment caused by the lockdown.
The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), which represents housing associations, local councils and other social housing providers, raised concerns in a written submission to a House of Commons inquiry.
It said: "With many renters facing months of accumulating arrears, the Government has appealed for altruism. The expectation being landlords and tenants will 'work together to establish an affordable repayment plan’ once measures around possession proceedings are eased.
"The perception amongst NHC members is that this approach will not reach the 100% take-up needed to ensure nobody loses their home and an upsurge in evictions will begin once the Governments temporary measures have ceased."
They also warned that there were reports of private landlords evicting tenants now, in defiance of the law.
"Furthermore, anecdotal evidence from NHC members suggests illegal evictions and targeted harassment of tenants is also taking place.
"Enforcement officers may have traditionally been able to prevent such evictions. Due to a combination of completing priorities and social distancing measures however, this [minority] criminal element is being held less in check than before."
Coun Malcolm said North East councils needed funding to ensure nobody became homeless.
"Our main concern is a spike in evictions and an increase in rent arrears in the immediate post-lockdown period, which will make it more difficult to support re-housing.
"This problem will be exacerbated by the general lack of emergency and temporary accommodation, particularly supported accommodation or single person housing.
"We will need sufficient funding to be able to provide the right type of housing support to vulnerable people at the right time to avoid them ending up in more expensive critical health or social care services."
