Hundreds of Douglas council tenants in Covid rent arrears

Impact of pandemic will have lasting effect

Lockdown has put hundreds of Douglas council tenants behind on their rent.

According to the local authority, around 10% of those living in council homes are in arrears.

Councillor Claire Wells, who has responsibility for housing, says rent for many families has not been a priority during the coronavirus crisis, instead it's about putting food on the table.

'I think the first thing they worry about, which rightly so, is how they're going to feed their children or themselves.

'That's more important than the rent going out.'

Douglas Council is the largest public sector housing provider with almost 2,300 homes, double the capacity of the department of infrastructure.

During the pandemic, Mrs Wells says tenants in need of assistance have been contacted by the council which is offering payment plans.

She expects this type of support to increase as the year goes on and people return to work.

The council has also made the decision to cancel the rent retrieval process and will not be pursuing legal action against those tenants who have outstanding rent.

Claire Wells spoke to Local Democracy Reporter Aaron Ibanez: