Landlords in limbo as court chaos continues

Landlords in limbo as court chaos continues

0:01 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago 4

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The courts are taking more than half a year to process possession claims, according to new research.

New data released by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), reveals it takes an average of almost 29 weeks between a private landlord making a legitimate possession claim to the courts and actually getting the property back.

The figures also show it takes an average of more than 11 weeks for a private landlord to make a repossession claim to them to secure an order to do so from the courts.

Court delays are too long

The government recently announced plans that Section 21 will be shelved until the court system has been improved.

However, Shelter argues there “is no excuse” for delaying Section 21 and no-fault evictions are a major factor in rising homelessness.

The NRLA hit back and argue court delays are too long, especially when tenants might be continuing to commit anti-social behaviour or failing to pay their rent over this period.

The organisation is calling for swift action to tackle the court backlog along with a proposed digitised system for handling cases.

Little to no action has been taken

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Responsible landlords and tenants need to be confident that the courts will handle possession cases swiftly and fairly when section 21 goes. At present that is not happening.

“Ministers have been warned for many years that improvements to the justice system have been needed. It is disappointing therefore that little to no action has been taken to address this so far.

“The government needs to get on and build confidence in the ability of the courts to handle legitimate possession cases.”


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Comments

Blodwyn

10:22 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

This is no surprise. The legal system as a whole has been under attack from The Treasury of both Labour and Conservatives for almost as long as I can remember since I was admitted as a solicitor over 50 years ago. There used to be both a county and a magistrates court in Haywards Heath. 'Local Justice' was the cry then. Now both gone to make way for flats and offices. All over the country the same sight.

Seething Landlord

11:19 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Another example of broken Britain.

The whole justice system is in a state of chaos after years of cuts and the best thing that government could do would be to abandon any policy that is going to increase pressure on the courts. Abolishing S21 in the current climate will simply add fuel to the fire, quite apart from the adverse consequences of disincentivising investment in the PRS and encouraging some landlords to quit at a time when the housing market as a whole is in dire straits.

Kevin C

19:21 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

More issues for landlords...

Blodwyn

22:13 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 13/11/2023 - 11:19
You are absolutely right. I never dealt with property (conveyancing, L&T) work in practice but I heard my colleagues in those fields. Land Registry delays are horrendous and make me wonder if an unofficial register may be set up for those who simply cannot wait? If everyone uses it, it may become official? Greater minds than mine may examine this. 50+ years ago, when an articled clerk, grants of Probate came back within a week. There was a real live service. You got to know the legendary and incredibly helpful Mr Goldie (did he have a first name?) at Newcastle District Probate Registry. After many years of 'progress' and the 'millions' poured in (MP-speak), it's now 12 weeks if you're lucky. And b.. all service for a huge multiple of the fee even allowing for inflation.
I fear a dose of Parkinson's Law. With Murphy close behind. Hey ho, it's only money??

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