Propertymark urges the Government to create specialist housing courts to speed up and simplify housing disputes.
This initiative aims to lessen the load on county courts and improve the experience for landlords and tenants.
Research from Citizens Advice shows that only 23% of tenants feel confident approaching the court over housing issues, with many discouraged by the system’s complexity and slow pace.
The discussion around the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions has been highlighted by Michael Gove, who stated that these evictions would be banned in England by the next general election.
The Renters Reform Bill’s proposal to remove Section 21 has faced challenges due to its complexity and lack of clarity.
Propertymark has consistently advocated for a housing court to address potential issues arising from the removal of Section 21.
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, emphasised the importance of a well-prepared court system: “The removal of Section 21 is a complex issue for which there needs to be full consideration of all involved… Failing to address the capacity of the courts could lead to substantially longer waiting periods for housing issues to be addressed.”
