The Government has said that the coronavirus eviction ban for renters will end next month.
Meanwhile, ministers have been warned that thousands of people could end up sleeping on the streets.
Housing minister Lord Greenhalgh said ending the suspension “is an important step towards ending the lockdown” as he confirmed the end of the moratorium for evictions from private and social accommodation.
The Tory peer said courts will begin to process possession cases again from August 24 after they were put on hold in England and Wales during the pandemic.
But shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire called for emergency legislation to protect renters from evictions during the crisis.
“The Government seems to be more interested in protecting landlords’ incomes than preventing families from losing their homes in the middle of a deadly pandemic,” the Labour MP said.
UK Markets begin to reopen during Coronavirus lockdown ease
“If things go back to business as usual, many thousands of people will find themselves sleeping on the streets this winter.”
Shelter has previously warned that lifting the suspension without protecting renters would “unleash a wave of homelessness”.
In response to a written parliamentary question, Lord Greenhalgh said: “From August 24 2020, the courts will begin to process possession cases again.
“This is an important step towards ending the lockdown and will protect landlords’ important right to regain their property.
“Work is under way with the judiciary, legal representatives and the advice sector on arrangements, including new rules, to ensure that judges have all the information necessary to make just decisions and that the most vulnerable tenants can get the help they need when possession cases resume.”
The ban on landlords evicting businesses currently ends in September.
