Eviction delays soar as Renters’ Rights Bill threatens to overload courts

Landlords are struggling with eviction delays of more than eight months, amid warnings that the Renters’ Rights Bill will make matters worse, The Telegraph claims.

According to government data, private landlords faced an average wait of around eight months to repossess a property in the final quarter of last year, with the average wait over the past four years being 36.4 weeks (roughly 8.4 months).

The Telegraph also reports that current court waiting times stand at 32 weeks, with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) warning that the Renters’ Rights Bill will place even greater strain on the courts once Section 21 is abolished.

Bill risks creating a system that fails tenants and landlords

Chris Norris, policy director for the NRLA, warns the Renters’ Rights Bill could create chaos in the courts.

He told The Telegraph: “The government must, as a matter of urgency, explain the steps it is taking to ensure that the courts will be able to cope with the extra demands which will be created by the Renters’ Rights Bill.

“If court users are to have any confidence at all in these reforms, we need to see a clear definition of court readiness, minimum performance standards for the justice system and a plan for how those standards will be met.

“Without this, the bill risks creating a system that fails both tenants and landlords alike.”

Reduce demand on courts

Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, has repeatedly insisted that the Labour government is working with departments such as the Ministry of Justice to prepare the courts.

However, this comes despite a Justice Minister admitting that “the courts are not where they need to be” just months before the Renters’ Rights Bill is expected to become law.

According to the Telegraph, the County Court process will be digitised to reduce pressure on the courts.

A spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, told The Telegraph: “We want to reduce demand on courts, with reforms to make sure that only cases with a clear ground for possession will be able to proceed.”

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