NEIL Gerrard is backing a bill which will give greater legal protection to tenants who lose their homes because their landlord has defaulted on mortgage payments.

The Walthamstow MP is one of 11 MPs to support the bill which is being introduced by Bolton MP Brian Iddon.

Currently repossession notices do not have to be sent to a tenant if the landlord has not informed the lender that the property is being let.

This means that tenants often do not know about the repossession proceedings until they receive a court summons or bailiffs arrive, meaning they do not have time to move home.

If the bill becomes law it will mean tenants will receive a repossession notice, giving them time to move.

Mr Gerrard said: “There is evidence that several thousand private tenants find themselves in this impossible situation every year.

“I am hopeful that the Government will support this bill to give extra support to people when they most need it.”