The UK's courts are on track to be overwhelmed by a surge in possession claims under the new Renters' Rights Act, sparking concerns from property sector experts. The legislation, which came into force on 1 May, abolished 'no-fault' evictions and now requires landlords to provide grounds for eviction, resulting in a significant increase in Section 8 notices.
Justice Minister Sarah Sackman sought to reassure the public by stating that the Ministry of Justice has allocated over 80,000 sitting days to the civil jurisdiction this year, describing it as a 'significant increase' designed to ensure sufficient capacity. However, government statistics indicate that the average time from initiating a Section 8 claim to repossessing a property now stands at over 34 weeks – the highest such figure in four years.
Organisations within the property sector remain sceptical about the government's ability to manage the increased workload. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has reported that landlords are experiencing considerable delays, with some waiting weeks for court hearings to regain possession of their properties.
The Renters' Rights Act aims to provide greater security for tenants by removing 'no-fault' evictions and placing a greater burden on the court system to adjudicate possession claims. While welcomed by tenant advocacy groups, this shift in procedure could lead to prolonged disputes and financial strain for landlords, potentially affecting the availability of rental properties.