Landlord Action founder Paul Shamplina has called for clarity on when the court system will be reformed so landlords and tenants have a proper roadmap on the future of Section 21.
The Renters (Reform) Bill now stipulates that the courts need to be reviewed before Section 21 is abolished, but as it stands it can take at least six months to turf a tenant out with a Section 8 eviction notice.
Even if the landlord is granted possession there are a lack of county court-appointed bailiffs available, meaning many landlords have to spent time and money escalating their cases to the high court to get their properties back faster.
Shamplina said: “Undoubtedly, court reforms are necessary to ensure the system can effectively handle the increase in Section 8 proceedings resulting from the abolition of Section 21
“Without adequate preparation, there is a risk of overburdening an already strained legal system, leading to further delays and inefficiencies that could adversely affect both landlords and tenants.”
He added: “Landlords, as well as tenants, require assurance that any changes to the rental landscape will be accompanied by measures to streamline the legal process and provide timely resolution to disputes.
“It’s important to recognise that the uncertainty surrounding the future of Section 21 has already led many landlords to sell their properties. This trend ultimately impacts tenants by shrinking the pool of available rental properties, leading to increased competition and potentially higher rents.
“In this context, a clear commitment to timely court reforms is not only crucial for landlords’ peace of mind but also for maintaining a healthy rental market that serves the needs of both landlords and tenants.
“A transparent roadmap outlining the steps and timeline for court reforms would provide much-needed clarity to all parties involved, allowing landlords to plan accordingly and ensuring all parties have access to fair and efficient legal recourse.
“In essence, while I agree that court reforms are necessary to accommodate the almost certain increase in Section 8 proceedings (approximately another 30,000 hearings a year), a clear commitment to when these reforms will be implemented is essential to provide landlords and tenants alike with the certainty and confidence they need to navigate the evolving rental market landscape.”