Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will issue updated guidance for tenants on how to manage rent arrears as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has published relevant guidance for landlords and tenants which is available on the gov.uk website. We have been clear in our guidance that tenants who are unable to pay their rent should contact their landlord to agree a sensible approach to manage the situation and agree a plan to deal with any rent arrears that may accrue. We are, of course, keeping guidance under review. There is also advice available for tenants dealing with rent arrears from specialist providers such as Citizens Advice and The Money Advice Service.