Evictions surge after Renters’ Rights Act introduced

Landlord evictions have surged 21% since the Renters’ Rights Act was introduced, prompting renewed warnings from solicitors that court reform was desperately needed.

The Law Society is urging the Government to invest improving court capacity as the first statistics to fully show how landlords are working under the reformed system, are released.

Cases jump

New quarterly statistics from the Ministry of Justice reveal that eviction cases jumped more than a fifth from last year despite the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions in the Act.

This change was accompanied by a 68% rise in accelerated possession claims, the Law Society says.

Expected increase

Brett Dixon, President at the Law Society (pictured), says: “The courts are not appropriately resourced for what was an expected increase in the number of landlord possessions as a result of the Renters’ Rights Act.

“This is despite concerns being raised, about court capacity as the Bill passed through Parliament.

“The Act created some of the most significant reforms to renters’ rights in decades, levelling the playing field between landlords and tenants. The end of no-fault evictions marked the biggest shift, as landlords rushed to repossess their properties before tighter controls took effect.

Without adequate funding, the courts will continue to struggle with backlogs and delays.”

“However, without adequate funding, the courts will continue to struggle with backlogs and delays leaving both landlords and tenants in a state of limbo.”

He went on to say: “The Government must act quickly to ensure the courts have the resources they need to prevent further delays and protect the rights of both tenants and landlords.”

Landlords facing eviction issues just months into rental reforms