Council powers to inspect landlord homes raises ‘exploitation’ fears
9 months ago | 9 comments
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 May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
11:07 AM, 24th July 2025, About 9 months ago
This is being with held for same reason as the Welsh Farming impact assessment is by the Senydd, –
Because Govt know its a total ” Car crash “
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1996
11:16 AM, 24th July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 24/07/2025 – 11:07
If you mean the ‘sustainable farming’ proposals, as for example summarised here by the NFU:
https://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/news-and-information/anger-at-shocking-scenario-projected-by-impact-assessment-on-sustainable-farming-scheme/
Then I’m not sure this is really a valid comparison because agriculture is heavily subsidised by government and because agricultural matters are devolved to the various nations it’s up to the Welsh government to decide whether to continue subsidising it and inflict the consequences of the extra taxation required on taxpayers.
In the case of the Private Rental Sector (PRS) the PRS isn’t subsidised by government anywhere in the UK: In fact, because the PRS is taxed more aggressively than small business it is actually the PRS that is subsidising government.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1996 - Articles: 21
11:15 AM, 28th July 2025, About 9 months ago
Neil Cobbold says: “Publishing the Justice Impact Test would provide much-needed clarity and help ensure that everyone affected is ready for the transition.”
I would like the Justice Impact Test published but publishing would not help me be ready for the transition. There is not much a landlord can do when faced with a long delay in the courts. I would not be surprised if the Test said that it will take 12 months on average to get to court. For some Labour MPs and the tenant advocacy groups that will be good news: they wouldn’t care if it took 12 years or 120 years.
The fact that “the Ministry of Justice lacks comprehensive data to fully grasp the scale of these challenges or assess current interventions effectively” suggests the situation may be even worse than the JIT forecasts.
I would urge all landlords with defaulting tenants to issue money claims online without delay if it is clear the tenant will not be able to pay. Let the courts system provide a rogue tenants’ database so that other landlords are warned.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1996
4:49 PM, 28th July 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 28/07/2025 – 11:15
According to the government’s figures on gov.uk:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-private-landlord-survey-2021-main-report/english-private-landlord-survey-2021-main-report–2#:~:text=Source:%20English%20Private%20Landlord%20Survey,to%20leave%2C%20Annex%20Table%202.15.
The most common reason for landlords evicting tenants is non-payment of rent.
The survey shows that 84% of landlords were unwilling to rent to tenants with a history of rent arrears (of course…why would you want them?) and 37% were unwilling to rent to tenants receiving housing benefit or universal credit (of course…why would you want them when the council can get the money back off you if tenants fiddle their benefits?).
There was also a high proportion of landlords not willing to let to people with pets or to students.
It still isn’t clear whether this report on the impact on the courts was shown to the lords when they considered the bill recently. If they get this wrong then all that this means is that a greater proportion of landlords will be unwilling to let to people with a history of rent arrears, or to people on benefits, and this will make the housing crisis worse.
The bottom line is that if the courts system isn’t working then the Renters Reform Bill will make high risk tenants even higher risk: And these people will be dumped on councils.
The Lords need to know the content of this court impact study.