Brighton Housing Trust (BHT Sussex) has urged people to get advice regarding rent arrears as soon as possible as the temporary ban on evictions brought in during the pandemic ended yesterday.

The ban has stopped landlords in England from sending bailiffs to evict tenants, and meant they had to give six months’ notice of court action.

From today, most tenants will still be entitled to at least four months' notice before court action can start, including under a Section 21 eviction notice.

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Most other eviction notices must also give at least four months' notice, but in some situations landlords can give a much shorter notice, such as rent arrears for more than four months or antisocial behaviour.

BHT Sussex, which has advice centres in Brighton, Hastings and Eastbourne, said the end of the eviction ban is expected to have "serious consequences" for tenants who have built up rent arrears during the crisis.

The specialist housing advisers said it is not just renters who are vulnerable to losing their home.

Homeowners have been able to take a six-month "holiday" from their monthly mortgage repayments, but this scheme is also set to end in July.

The government's Everyone In initiative, which ensured accommodation was available to rough sleepers during Covid-19, is expected to end this month.

Andy Winter, chief executive of BHT Sussex, said: “We are facing a real and imminent crisis both locally and nationally.

“We are conscious that many of the temporary measures introduced during the pandemic to protect people from homelessness are now ending, and this will leave many vulnerable.

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“We want people to know that it is not too late to get support. Every week our advisers help families and individuals facing eviction to keep their homes.

"If you are worried about your living situation then please do not wait, get advice as soon as possible - you can call our Brighton Advice Centre on 01273 645455 or visit bht.org.uk to find out more."

Research by Citizens Advice found that half a million private-sector renters across the country were behind with their rent payments in January, with an average debt of £730.

The research showed that 58 per cent had no previous rent arrears.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), along with several charities and other organisations, are calling for a national programme of loans and grants to support tenants and landlords who have faced arrears during the pandemic.

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The NRLA said: "At least half a million private renters are in arrears due to the economic impact of Covid-19.

"The UK government’s own research shows that ‘private renters report being hardest hit by the pandemic’.

"With private landlords now facing waits of up to two years to regain possession, they cannot be expected to continue to foot the bill for government failure.

"There must now be a plan to support households to pay their bills and to compensate landlords fully for their lost income.

"We are calling for direct financial support into the sector, to support landlords and tenants who have faced arrears during the pandemic and through no fault of their own.

"While measures through the welfare system have been welcome, more needs to be done to alleviate Covid-related arrears, and help landlords and tenants sustain tenancies."