The Law Society President is concerned an underfunded justice system will hinder progress made in strengthening renters’ rights.

Law Society President, Nick Emmerson, has welcomed Labour’s renting reforms, but sounds a warning: chronic underfunding of the courts could mean huge delays for both landlords and tenants during evictions will undermine its aims.

“While abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions is a critical step in bolstering protections for renters,” he says, “and we are pleased Ministers have prioritised this action within its Renters’ Rights Bill – the Government must balance tenant rights with landlords’ routes to repossessions. Maintaining this balance is key to reforming the rental market.

The Government must also balance tenant rights with landlords.”
“And we remain concerned that an underfunded justice system will hinder any progress made in strengthening renters’ rights.

“As the bill may lead to an increase in eviction hearings in the short term, it is in the interests of both renters and landlords that renters have access to legal help and that the courts are adequately resourced to handle the increasing demand.

Backlog
The Law Society boss also says acute underfunding of the justice system has left a backlog of court cases, a problem that has left thousands of landlords waiting often for up to six months to get evictions through the courts.

“To ensure renters are protected when facing eviction, funding for the justice system must increase alongside efforts to reform the rental market,” he adds.

“The justice system plays a vital role in ensuring renters can access their rights. If the government is serious about supporting renters, it must recognise this vital role and invest in legal aid and court reform.”

Blog Post from The Negotiator

See details of our CHG Guaranteed Rent Scheme here