Residents in danger of being evicted urged to seek help
Lancaster City Council is urging residents living in tenanted properties in the district to get in touch if they have been served with eviction notices over the last six months.
The council is concerned that the eventual lifting of the government ban on evictions which was extended recently to at least February 21, could result in more cases of homelessness in the Lancaster district if people leave it too late to get help.
Housing officers have already been made aware of eviction notices being served on a number of tenants in the Poulton and West End areas of Morecambe due to the change of ownership of more than 40 tenanted properties.
The council is therefore urging anyone who has recently been issued with a notice to quit, as a result of their property changing hands, or those in danger of becoming homeless for other reasons, to contact its housing advisors as soon as possible.
The team is on hand to help individuals to resolve their housing issues by working with landlords to help them remain in their current accommodation or to find suitable alternatives if necessary.
Councillor Caroline Jackson, Cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “I am very worried about the rise in homelessness that will happen at the end of the government ban on evictions. People must contact us and not be complacent about the situation. In addition to this we are equally concerned about the number of eviction notices that has recently come to light as a result of tenanted properties changing hands.
“We would urge anyone who has been issued with an eviction notice over the last six months or threatened with homelessness for any other reason to get in touch as soon as possible so we can nip potential cases of homelessness in the bud.”
The council’s housing advisory team can be contacted on 01524 582257 during office hours (9am – 5pm - Monday to Friday) or out of office hours and at weekends on 01524 67099. Alternative, residents can email the team at strategichousing@lancaster.gov.uk
Last updated: 18 January 2021