Rent hikes, no protection and zero communication: How housing associations are failing tenants

Families and individuals are struggling while housing associations fail to address outstanding concerns like fuel costs. Sustained inaction will only push people further into poverty, writes Rabina Khan

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There are millions of UK residents living in the 2.4 million homes owned and managed by housing associations. The current pandemic has led to job losses, people being furloughed, and loss of income for countless small businesses; it is not surprising that many tenants have fallen into arrears.

People who have contracted Covid-19 are in a position where they are unable to work at all, so those on zero-hours’ contracts, for example, may not be entitled to sick pay if they don’t earn enough money to qualify.

The government has said that it is important for landlords to offer support and understanding to tenants whose income is fluctuating now – but there are also housing associations who are ignoring this advice.