Backlog of possession cases causing chaos in courts

The NRLA is calling on the government to tackle the backlog of possession cases clogging up the courts.

The association says that some landlords are having to wait more than six months to take back their properties.

The NRLA has written to Justice Minister Alex Chalk calling on the Ministry of Justice to publish its test regarding the impact the Bill will have on the courts system.

Court wait times are a major issue for landlords

Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive said: “Court wait times are a major issue for landlords who need to repossess property from anti-social tenants or those who are in extreme rent arrears.

“Before the second reading of the Renters’ (Reform) Bill, the government must take positive steps towards resolving the courts’ logjam so that legitimate cases can be heard as swiftly as possible.

Mr Beadle says with the removal of Section 21, landlords must have confidence in the court process.

“Section 21 was introduced to give property owners the confidence to bring their property to the market in the knowledge that they could deal swiftly with problem tenants.

“With its abolition planned, landlords must have the same confidence that having given their tenant a legitimate reason, their repossession claim will be processed without delay.”

He added: “The Levelling Up Secretary is absolutely right to insist that that Section 21 will only be abolished when the courts are ready to receive such cases, but now is the time for the detail. This must comprise investment, detail of digitalisation and punchy processing targets to give confidence that reforms will work for responsible landlords.

“Failing to do so will only jeopardise the implementation of the reforms and will likely exacerbate an already serious crisis of supply of rented housing.”

Pressures on the court will be exacerbated by the repeal of S21

The government has promised reform – as called for by the NRLA – following the end of Section 21 repossessions as outlined in the Renters’ (Reform) Bill.

However, the association is concerned that no firm commitments have been made as to how this will be achieved.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee warns: “The court system is already struggling to process housing cases quickly enough.

“The pressures on the courts will be exacerbated by the repeal of section 21, as landlords will seek to regain possession under section 8, especially in the case of rent arrears and antisocial behaviour.”

“It is not clear whether the Government fully appreciates the extent to which an unreformed courts system could undermine its tenancy reforms.”

The full letter to the Justice Minister can be read here

Share This Article