Council powers to inspect landlord homes raises ‘exploitation’ fears
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Government withholds Renters’ Rights Bill court impact study
12:01 AM, 23rd July 2025, 9 months ago
14
The government is under pressure for refusing to disclose its Justice Impact Test for the Renters’ Rights Bill after one committee revealed there are severe delays in county courts.
The crucial document details the Bill’s effects on courts, tribunals and legal aid.
The decision to withhold the assessment comes in response to a Freedom of Information request from proptech firm Reapit – which says it is appealing the decision not to reveal the document.
The move has sparked concerns about transparency as the Bill approaches its final parliamentary stages.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) justified withholding the data by invoking Section 35(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, which safeguards policy formulation.
The ministry argued that releasing the study could create a ‘chilling effect’ on policy development and stated that ‘on balance, it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this time’.
Landlords need to know
The firm’s commercial director, Dr Neil Cobbold, said: “We recognise the government’s need for a ‘safe space’ during the early stages of policy development.
“However, with the Renters’ Rights Bill clearing the Report Stage in the House of Lords, the focus is shifting towards final amendments and implementation.”
He added: “At this point, there is a clear public interest in understanding how the justice system is expected to respond to the changes.
“This is critical in light of the Justice Committee’s recent report showing increasing delays for those seeking justice through the County Courts, which is where most eviction cases will be ruled on.”
Court delays for evictions
The government’s refusal comes as the House of Commons Justice Committee released a report highlighting severe delays in County Courts, where most eviction cases are processed.
The committee described these delays as ‘unacceptable and increasing’, pointing to issues like staff shortages and limited capacity.
The report also noted that the Ministry of Justice lacks comprehensive data to fully grasp the scale of these challenges or assess current interventions effectively.
Reapit, which sought the Justice Impact Test after Baroness Taylor, a junior minister at MHCLG, declined to share it, has now appealed the government’s decision.
Mr Cobbold said: “Landlords, tenants and letting agents are already preparing for what the Bill will mean in practice.
“Publishing the Justice Impact Test would provide much-needed clarity and help ensure that everyone affected is ready for the transition.”
Tags:
County Courts, court delays, FOI request, Justice Impact Test, Landlord rights, MHCLG, Reapit, renters rights bill, Tenant Protections, UK Housing Policy
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1573
8:14 AM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
We should all be writing to our MPs asking for sight of the report and using the FOI Act.
The Act is Law and, if nothing else, it will mean they have to refuse to disclose the document(s) many times over.
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 341
11:28 AM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 23/07/2025 – 08:14
How about starting a petition, or sharing a template letter that everyone can send to their MP?
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
12:01 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
‘Mr Cobbold said: “Landlords, tenants and letting agents are already preparing for what the Bill will mean in practice”.’
I’m preparing by selling properties
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 9
12:22 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
I ask because I do not know – is it possible to sue Ministers or the Government if they hide something that then causes harm to people ?
I’m thinking along the lines of ‘Ive had to wait x years to get my case heard, causing significant financial distress, which the Gov knew would happen due to the hidden court assessment’ …
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 363
4:24 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
If it were good news, they would be trumpeting it. They are withholding it, as its bad news. Obviously, there are no measures to increase court capacity or simplify matters by moving some procedures like selling up online. Probably court delays of a couple of years may well become the norm.. Good news for Councils as it pushes the time they may have to rehome people well down the line. Bad news for landlords, lost rent and property damage the cost of which will never be recovered
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1996
5:05 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
If “The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) justified withholding the data by invoking Section 35(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, which safeguards policy formulation [arguing]…that releasing the study could create a ‘chilling effect’ on policy development and stated that ‘on balance, it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this time’.
Was this study also withheld from the House of Lords when the House of Lords was recently asked to consider the bill?
Member Since November 2024 - Comments: 81
5:12 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
How can informed decisions be made if vital information is intentionally withheld? They are the pits. Baroness Taylor has alot to answer for. When it all goes belly up she needs to hold herself to account – doubt it though.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1996
5:16 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by A Reader at 23/07/2025 – 17:12
I don’t know whether the information was withheld from the House of Lords or not. But if it was withheld then it is very dodgy because the House of Lords is there to modify extreme policies that can have ‘unintended consequences’….and in this case could cause a lot of collateral damage…to tenants.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 200
6:18 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Let’s face it, everybody knows that the courts are in disarray and only likely to get worse, and there is absolutely no way they will cope with the RRB. The only way landlords can prepare is by assuming the worst and acting accordingly. This means either selling up as govt and BTR/corporates want, or only taking on tenants that have practically zero chance of causing problems, backed up by guarantors and rent insurance (until the premiums go sky high).
Member Since April 2019 - Comments: 3
7:31 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Why was this court case brought by a commercial entity and not ARLA or the NLA?
Thet are supposed to be representing landlords?