In a bid to streamline the legal process surrounding housing disputes, Propertymark is urging the UK Government to establish specialized housing courts featuring expert judges. The objective is to expedite cases and ensure a consistent standard of judgments, ultimately alleviating the strain on County Courts.
This proposal aims to enhance access for both landlords and tenants while accelerating the resolution of claims. Citing research conducted by Citizens Advice, it was revealed that only 23% of tenants feel confident about applying to court when facing issues, shedding light on the challenges within the current system.
Among the deterrents identified were the complexity of the process, discouraging 54% of tenants from pursuing a claim, and the protracted duration of legal proceedings, dissuading 45% from taking their concerns to court.
Over the weekend, Michael Gove thrust the issue of Section 21 into the political spotlight, asserting that no-fault evictions would be outlawed across England by the next general election. The Renters Reform Bill, encompassing the contentious proposal to eliminate Section 21, has faced hurdles due to its complexity and a lack of defined clarity.
Notably, in November, just before the bill was set for its second reading in parliament, an unexpected decision was made to defer the proposal to remove Section 21 from the broader legislation. The reason cited was the need to await court reform before proceeding, aiming to mitigate potential adverse effects.
Propertymark has consistently advocated for the introduction of a housing court system to handle the repercussions of removing Section 21. Their proposals emphasize the creation of a dedicated and well-resourced court system to manage eviction cases and other housing-related matters efficiently.
Expressing concern about the potential abolishment of Section 21 by the next general election, Propertymark emphasizes the importance of sensible reform to Section 8 legislation. Failing to do so could lead to significant issues in the private rented sector’s housing supply. The organization insists that any changes in legislation must ensure fair and respectful treatment of both landlords and tenants, striking a balanced approach.
Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, commented on the matter, stating, “The removal of Section 21 is a complex issue for which there needs to be full consideration of all involved. Propertymark is keen to see a dedicated and specialist housing court within the wider system that will be fully geared to deliver on its objectives before any such change.” Emerson emphasized the necessity of addressing court capacity to prevent substantially longer waiting periods for housing issues to be resolved, urging comprehensive testing of new alternatives before implementing any proposed changes.