The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has once again called for the introduction of a properly funded housing court to cope with proposed regulatory changes and speed up repossession cases.
The Ministry of Justice says it takes private landlords an average of 22.6 weeks from making a repossession claim to the courts to it actually happening. This is up from 22.5 weeks in the second quarter of the year - the third consecutive quarterly increase.
With the next government expected to end the use of Section 21 repossessions in the private rented sector the number of repossession cases going through the courts is expected to increase dramatically, but the latest data from the Ministry of Justice demonstrates that the existing system is inadequate, according to the RLA.
The landlord association believes that a new housing court would help speed up and improve justice for landlords and tenants.
David Smith, policy director for the RLA, commented: “The courts are failing both landlords and tenants. A systematic programme of court closures, coupled with cuts to the court budgets have made it harder for anyone in the private rented sector to get justice in a timely way where something goes wrong.
“With all parties wanting to develop longer tenancies in the rental market, this will only work if landlords can swiftly and easily repossess properties through the court in legitimate circumstances.
“A failure to achieve this will make such tenancies a pipe dream. We are calling on all parties in the election to pledge to establish a dedicated housing court that can bring rapid justice for landlords and tenants.”
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