Courts now take 22.5 weeks for possession claims

Courts now take 22.5 weeks for possession claims

10:32 AM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago 9

Text Size

New statistics show that it now takes private landlords an average of 22.5 weeks from making a claim to the courts for a property to be repossessed to it actually happening – up from 21.6 weeks since the beginning of the year.

David Smith, Policy Director for The RLA said: “Today’s figures show that the courts are unable to cope when landlords seek to repossess properties for legitimate reasons.

“With proposals to scrap Section 21 repossessions set to lead to a significant increase in cases brought to the courts, it is now a matter of urgency that the Government brings forward its plans for court reform.

“This requires a fully funded, properly staffed, dedicated housing court that can bring rapid justice for landlords and tenants.

“Tinkering with the existing system will not be good enough.”

According to research by the RLA on plans to scrap Section 21 79% of private landlords with experience of using the courts to repossess properties are dissatisfied with the way they work.

According to one of the largest ever surveys of landlords and letting agents, 91% of landlords would support the establishment of a dedicated housing court to deal with housing cases

The RLA has now written to the new Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland MP, warning that if Ministers go ahead with plans to scrap Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions, the courts will be simply unable to cope with the increased pressure.


Share This Article


Comments

Chris @ Possession Friend

11:11 AM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Oh, so its not right that 'Landlords can ' Turf out a Tenant with 8 weeks Notice ' as Shelter claim ?
!!!

Dr Rosalind Beck

12:22 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

And of course the landlord usually is owed more than 22 weeks of rent as the usual pattern is for landlords to give tenants many chances to get back up to date with the rent and only as a last resort do landlords - like anyone else - want to take expensive and stressful legal action. It would be good to have that total loss figure as well - for example, they may typically be owed 30 weeks rent, plus legal costs, plus repairing the mess that is often left behind - people who don't think they have to stick to the contract to pay the rent often also don't stick to their contractual promise to look after the property. There is also then typically a void as the house can't be shown until it is renovated.

In many cases I would think landlords lose at least a year's rent - which can take years to recoup, as profit margins are often small after mortgages etc paid.

Appalled Landlord

12:25 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 09/08/2019 - 11:11
8 weeks? Shelter’s Head of Research told the nation on TV that people can be chucked out by their landlords at a moment’s notice.
https://www.property118.com/shelters-head-research-misled-public-tv/

Gromit

12:38 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

The Government should compensate Landlords for any loss of rent over 4 weeks due to delays in the Courts.

Chris @ Possession Friend

12:45 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Gromit at 09/08/2019 - 12:38
Even moreso, If a Landlord has to Pay £ 10's of k's to a Barrister to Appeal a County court Judges decision, - and that Appeal is Upheld ( in other words, - the Judge was WRONG ) then the Judge, being a MoJ employee, - his employer, the Government should pay for the Appellants costs !

Luke P

12:56 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Hmm…interesting. The terminology has changed to “no explanation” Notice.

JB

15:52 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dr Rosalind Beck at 09/08/2019 - 12:22
... and where does the landlord recoup the cost from? If possible by increasing the rent of tenants who do pay the rent. So don't anyone say landlords are greedy when rents increase. And the 5 week deposit is a joke.

Dr Rosalind Beck

15:55 PM, 9th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 09/08/2019 - 12:56
Yes, well spotted, Luke. That is at least an improvement and one we might want to adopt.

Michael Barnes

3:41 AM, 11th August 2019, About 5 years ago

The problem with asking about a dedicated housing court is that no-one really understands what that means.

LLs probably think of t as "handling S8 and S21 notices" so say 'yes, let's have one'm whilst the legal profession see it as everything housing related, so including things such as
- illegal eviction claims;
- non-protection of deposit claims;
- leasehold issues
- social housing issues;
- disputes over councils discharging their duty of care;
- neighbour disputes.

and probably 100+ things I know nothing about.

After all, where is the career progression in just hearing S8 and S21 cases?

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now