News
Section 21 U-turn - more details given by government
Monday 23rd October 2023
More details have emerged of what appears to be a sort of stay of execution for Section 21 eviction powers.
The abolition of Section 21 was arguably the centrepiece of the Renters Reform Bill, which has its Second Reading in the House of Commons this afternoon.
On Friday it emerged that Section 21 would still be be abolished but only when improvements were made to the way courts handle legitimate possession cases.
Now we know what those improvements will consist of - and they appear to be substantial improvements which would take some time to introduce.
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.
Strengthening 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.
These details come on a response from government to a report from the House of Commons Housing Select Committee.*
The release of the response so close to the Second Reading may be interpreted by some as a concession to defuse growing opposition to the Bill by the property industry, landlords and some politicians.