Falmouth residents are being urged to speak to Cornwall Council if they are worried about being evicted.

At the beginning of lockdown, the government put in place measures to protect tenants from eviction.

Those measures were recently extended but are due to end on August 23.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes Andrew Mitchell said:

"You may be a renter who is experiencing difficulties, including being able to pay the rent. The ban on evictions has been useful but there will be some renters out there who are dreading the next few months.

"Our message is that Cornwall Housing's Prevention & Engagement Service is open for business and we encourage you to get in touch and ask for help and support so we can try to prevent you losing your home."

"Similarly, there may be landlords out there who are getting ready to serve notice or to pursue existing possession orders once restrictions are lifted. Again, we are here to offer advice on the support that is available to help them if they have a tenant who is breaching their tenancy agreement."

"We can offer mediation and support to both parties to help avoid evictions."

One in five households in Cornwall privately rent their home and some of those households may have suffered money worries due to the coronavirus crisis.

Many landlords, who have been able to apply for mortgage holidays just like homeowners, are doing what they can to help.

Landlords too may also be facing financial pressures and tenants should continue to pay their rent if they can afford it.

Ruth Clarke from the Cornwall Residential Landlords Association (CRLA) said:

"Landlords and tenants are all in need of support as we come out of the current crisis to ensure continued provision of quality housing to good tenants."