The government made a dramatic u turn earlier in the month of November with the centre piece to its proposed renters reform bill.
Currently the proposal to abolish section 21 has been put on hold until the government reforms the court systems to speed up eviction that reach the court stage.
The proposed changes to the court system begin with digitising more of the court process to make it simpler and easier for landlords to use; exploring the prioritisation of certain cases including antisocial behaviour; Improving bailiff recruitment and retention and reducing administrative tasks so bailiffs can prioritise possession enforcement; and providing early legal advice and better signposting for tenants including to help them find a housing solution that meets their needs.
The government also says it wants to strengthen mediation and dispute resolution as a way for landlords to settle problems without resort to courts, and to “embed this as a member service of the new Ombudsman” – the latter being something all landlords must join, in addition to professional property agents.
The government has firmly rejected the call from many experts in the lettings industry for a dedicated housing court, saying its costs would outweigh its benefits. The government insists it would be more effective to channel resources into improving existing court capacity and processes.
This will be welcome news to many landlords. While not all landlord are against scrapping section 21’s, it is widely acknowledged that the court system needs to work more efficiently for tenants to be ejected from properties sooner, should they be in arrears. Reforming of the court system is not going to be an overnight process and could be years in the making.
If you would like to speak in more detail about any information raised in this article, then contact one of our expert team members who can answer any questions you may have.
