A growing dispute has emerged between the UK government and leading property technology firm Reapit over the transparency of the Renters’ Rights Bill, particularly concerning its potential effect on the court system. At the centre of the disagreement is the government’s refusal to release its Justice Impact Test related to the Bill.
The Justice Impact Test is a government-led assessment designed to evaluate how proposed legislation might affect the justice system—in this case, how the Renters’ Rights Bill might impact courts, particularly with the expected rise in eviction disputes due to the abolition of Section 21 “no fault” evictions.
Reapit is convinced that this assessment would reveal serious shortcomings in the current court infrastructure, especially in the County Court system, which typically handles housing-related legal matters. The company believes that publishing the findings would allow stakeholders to prepare adequately for the coming changes.
Initially, Reapit wrote to the government requesting the Justice Impact Test be made public. That request was refused. In response, the company submitted a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request in an effort to obtain the document through official channels.
However, the FOI request was also denied. The refusal has raised eyebrows among industry professionals and campaigners, as it comes at a critical time when the Bill is nearing the final stages of its journey through Parliament and discussions around its practical implementation are gaining urgency.
The situation intensified further when the House of Commons Justice Committee released its latest report on the state of the County Courts. The report described the system as facing “unacceptable and increasing delays” across nearly all types of claims—delays that could severely affect the timely processing of eviction cases.
In response to Reapit’s FOI request, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) confirmed that it does indeed hold the Justice Impact Test. However, it said the information is being withheld under a specific clause of the Freedom of Information Act that allows departments to protect internal policy discussions.
The ministry explained that releasing the document could lead to what it called a “chilling effect”—where policymakers may feel less able to discuss or explore options openly if they know those discussions might become public too soon. They concluded that, at this point, releasing the information would not be in the public interest.
This decision has not been taken lightly by Reapit, which has now formally appealed the refusal. The company argues that the Justice Impact Test is of clear and immediate public concern, especially as the country prepares for major reforms to the private rented sector.
Dr Neil Cobbold, Reapit’s Commercial Director for the UK and Ireland, acknowledged that in the early stages of policy development, the government is entitled to a degree of privacy. However, he stressed that the Bill has already cleared its Report Stage in the House of Lords, moving the conversation from theoretical to practical matters of enforcement.
Cobbold pointed out that tenants, landlords, and letting agents across the country are already taking steps to prepare for the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law. At this stage, he argued, knowing how the court system is expected to handle the upcoming pressure is critical.
He referenced the Justice Committee’s recent findings, which confirm growing delays in the courts. These delays, if not addressed, could lead to serious consequences for both landlords and tenants, especially when it comes to time-sensitive eviction proceedings.
Cobbold explained that publishing the Justice Impact Test would allow those affected to better prepare for the transition. It would also provide transparency and help manage expectations, reducing uncertainty and promoting a smoother adjustment to the new legal landscape.
At Reapit, the company is already working proactively with clients and partners to prepare for the coming changes. This includes updating internal workflows, refining compliance procedures, and offering resources and guidance tailored to the new legal framework.
He concluded that the government has a responsibility to share crucial information when the public stands to be directly affected. Transparency, in this case, would go a long way in building trust and ensuring that reforms to the rental sector are implemented fairly and effectively.
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