Landlords call for new housing court to speed up justice

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is calling for a new housing court to speed up justice for landlords and tenants.

The association says that under Civil Procedure Rules, repossession claims should only take about nine weeks, but official figures show they’re taking an average of more than 22 weeks.

It believes that the government’s proposal to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will add to the number of cases going through the courts making matters even worse. Ministers say the changes will lead to a “simpler, faster process through the courts” in repossession cases but have not published any detailed plans.

The RLA is calling for a properly funded housing court to ensure that landlords have to wait no more than 10 weeks between submitting their case and getting a decision.

David Smith, policy director for the RLA, said: “Whilst the government talks the talk on court reform it is failing to walk the walk.

“Words alone will not improve the court system for tenants or for landlords. What is needed is a firm plan for a fully funded housing court which reverses cuts which have made access to justice more difficult and take far too long.

“Tinkering with the existing system is simply not good enough. Without such fundamental changes the government’s plans to reform the way landlords can repossess properties are dead on arrival.”

We shall keep clients informed of developments.

Please contact Simeon Clipstone if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of commercial property law.