Law Society urges government to invest in court system ahead of Renters’ Rights Act

The government must invest further in the courts to handle the number of cases under the Renters’ Rights Act, claims The Law Society.

The Act, which gained Royal Assent this week, will see landlords forced to use Section 8 notices to regain possession of their properties, which will require a court ruling unless the tenant leaves voluntarily.

The government has not yet provided a timeline for when the new rules will come into force.

Court system needs to be ready

The Law Society warns the government must invest in court reform.

Law Society president, Mark Evans, said: “For this act to be successful, the government must now invest in the courts to ensure they can handle the expected rise in contested hearings. Court reform and modernisation is crucial if the Renters’ Rights Act is to help both tenants and landlords.

“The Renters’ Rights Act is an important step towards a fairer housing system that gives both tenants and landlords the necessary foundation for wellbeing, dignity and stability.”

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, a government minister previously admitted the courts system “was not where it needed to be” before the legislation became law and could put pressure on the court system.

As previously reported on Property118, landlords are currently waiting more than eight months for repossession, and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) warns that landlords could face even longer delays due to an “inevitable avalanche” of possession claims once the Act comes into force.