NO TENANT of BCP Council will be evicted during the coronavirus outbreak, its cabinet member for housing has confirmed.

Councillor Kieron Wilson said neither it, nor its arms-length management company Poole Housing Partnership, would remove anyone from their home.

He said the council would be “extremely mindful” of people who may be unable to pay their rent and it would do “all it can” to support them.

It follows concerns that some tenants could be unable to make their payments if they lose their jobs as a result of the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.

The charity Shelter had warned tens of thousands of people could have been affected in the coming months.

Earlier this week the government introduced emergency legislation suspending any evictions from social or private rented accommodation.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said this would mean landlords would be unable to start proceedings for three months.

Cllr Wilson has confirmed both BCP Council and Poole Housing Partnership will be following this.

“Council housing teams are working very hard to continue to deliver our most critical services to our tenants and leaseholders," Cllr Wilson said. "In line with government guidelines, and to ensure we can support our tenants, BCP Council and PHP will not be undertaking evictions during this period.

“However, to ensure there is no confusion, all tenants should be aware that rental payments are still payable during this time and if tenants can pay they should, this will minimise ongoing financial hardship after this difficult period has finished.

"We are extremely mindful though that tenants may not be able to pay their rent during this time and we would encourage all tenants to contact their landlord if this is the case and to discuss options that may include deferring payments.

"We will do all we can during this period to support people.”