Housing Minister wants to give non-Covid related possession cases priority

Housing Minister wants to give non-Covid related possession cases priority

11:20 AM, 17th July 2020, About 4 years ago 1

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Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher MP responded to a written question from Labour MP Helen Hayes regarding the eviction ban extension and confirmed again that the ban on possession cases would end on 23rd August.

The Minister indicated that priority would be given for landlords and tenants in cases that are not related to COVID-19 including anti-social behaviour and long-standing cases.

Christopher Pincher said: “The current pause for possession cases in the courts will end on the 23 August.  This is an important step towards transitioning out of emergency measures and allowing the market to operate, ensuring landlords and tenants have appropriate access to justice in cases that are not related to COVID-19, such as cases of anti-social behaviour and long-standing cases that pre-date lockdown measures being put in place.”

“The Government has also been working closely with the judiciary, legal representatives, the advice sector and housing sector stakeholders through a working group convened by the Master of the Rolls.  This group is considering arrangements that will mean that courts are better able to address the need for appropriate protection of all parties in the current legislative framework once the suspension of proceedings ends.”

However, the Minister also added: “Landlords must follow strict procedures if they want  to gain possession of their  property, depending on the type of tenancy agreement in place and the terms of it.”

The Government has said that further information regarding the new procedures for how possession cases are heard is to be released ‘shortly’.


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Comments

Reluctant Landlord

12:09 PM, 19th July 2020, About 4 years ago

The courts have had MONTHS to sort out a plan to ENSURE that pre covid cases of eviction/possession for arrears, anti social behaviour and damage to property (as a direct result of a tenants negation to fulfil their obligations within the TA) are all dealt with as priority.
What have they done? Nothing. There has been even a refusal to deal with such cases even by telephone hearings.
The courts have been complicit in ensuring that justice has been denied to those already suffering due to bad tenants and now culpable for allowing this to continue.
Cases could have been heard during this period regardless - even if the actual eviction date was stayed until restrictions lifted allowing people to move/be moved from properties.
By KNOWINGLY not heard these cases they have again made sure that one the end of August comes, the courts are overwhelmed with a backlog of cases.
If the whole education sector can jump and sort out emergency plans for every child to get some kind of homeschooling the day after lockdown was announced, then the courts could/should have done the same.
Another clear cut simple case of judges getting paid to be on furlough anyway so then why bother to actually work to clear the backlog, knowing that there is still going to be customers at the end of the day regardless of the dire service you provide?
Shambles.

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