T tThe government is being urged to invest more in civil courts and tribunals to improve their capacity and efficiency in handling property disputes. Lettings technology firm Reapit is leading the call, highlighting the need for better resources to support landlords, tenants, and agents who often face lengthy delays when seeking legal resolutions. Without adequate funding, the backlog of cases in civil courts is expected to grow, making it increasingly difficult for those in the property sector to resolve disputes in a timely manner.
Reapit has expressed support for the recent government announcement that criminal courts will receive additional resources to help clear their backlog. However, the firm believes similar measures are needed for civil courts, where unresolved disputes continue to cause frustration for property professionals and tenants alike. Many landlords rely on the court system to regain possession of properties in cases of non-payment or breaches of tenancy agreements, while tenants may need legal intervention to address unfair treatment or housing issues.
By increasing investment in civil courts, the government could help speed up the resolution process, reducing the financial and emotional strain on all parties involved. Faster case processing would not only benefit individual landlords and tenants but also contribute to a more efficient and stable rental market. Reapit argues that without urgent action, delays in the legal system will continue to harm those who depend on it for fair outcomes.
With the rental sector playing a crucial role in the UK housing market, ensuring that disputes are handled swiftly and fairly should be a priority. Industry leaders and property professionals are now waiting to see whether the government will take action to address these concerns and provide the necessary support for civil courts.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced a record allocation of 110,000 Crown Court sitting days for the next financial year, alongside a £28.5 million boost in court maintenance funding and expanded capacity for the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal. However, despite these significant commitments, there has been no equivalent investment in civil courts and property tribunals, even as they prepare to face additional strain due to the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill.
One of the key changes introduced by the Bill is the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. This means landlords will need to rely on Section 8 notices to regain possession of their properties, a process that requires a court ruling unless the tenant voluntarily vacates. With more landlords expected to go through the legal system to reclaim their properties, civil courts will likely experience increased case volumes, potentially leading to longer delays in dispute resolution.
Additionally, the Bill proposes eliminating fixed-term tenancies and mandating that all rent increases be issued through a Section 13 notice. These changes are expected to further burden courts and tribunals, as more tenants may choose to contest rent increases through formal legal channels. Despite this, there has been no indication from the government that additional resources will be allocated to help civil courts manage the anticipated surge in cases.
A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request by lettings technology firm Reapit has revealed a concerning lack of data on the number of rent increase cases currently being handled by tribunals. Without accurate tracking of these cases and their outcomes, it is difficult to assess the current strain on the legal system. However, insights from Scotland’s tenancy reforms suggest that England’s tribunal system could face up to 1.3 million market rent cases annually if all tenants affected by rent increases decide to challenge them.
Without urgent investment in civil courts and property tribunals, landlords, tenants, and letting agents may face prolonged delays in resolving disputes. Industry leaders continue to call on the government to allocate resources to ensure that the legal system can cope with the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill and provide timely resolutions for all parties involved.
Concerns Grow Over Court Delays as Renters’ Rights Bill Moves Forward
The government’s own impact assessment has highlighted long-standing delays in civil courts, particularly affecting landlords seeking possession orders. Despite acknowledging these issues, there has been no clear commitment to addressing them ahead of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill.
A key concern is that the government has yet to publish the Justice Impact Test or New Burdens Assessment for the Bill. These reports are crucial in determining how much additional pressure the courts will face and what funding will be required to manage the increased caseload. Without this information, there remains uncertainty about how the legal system will cope once the Bill becomes law later this year.
Neil Cobbold, commercial director at Reapit, has called for urgent investment in civil courts and tribunals to prevent growing backlogs. He acknowledged the government’s recent efforts to increase capacity in criminal courts but stressed that the same must be done for civil courts. With the Renters’ Rights Bill expected to drive up demand for possession cases and rent increase disputes, additional funding is essential to ensure fair and timely resolutions.
Cobbold warned that without increased resources, landlords, tenants, and letting agents could face long delays, uncertainty, and mounting legal backlogs. He also raised concerns that since the Justice Impact Test and New Burdens Assessment have yet to be published, these additional costs may be overlooked in the upcoming Spending Review. If left unaddressed, this could delay much-needed funding for councils and tribunals, further exacerbating delays in the system.
As the Renters’ Rights Bill moves closer to becoming law, industry experts are calling for the government to act now to ensure the court system can handle the expected surge in cases. Without intervention, both landlords and tenants could find themselves stuck in drawn-out legal battles, creating further instability in the rental market.
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