Courts won’t cope with Renters Rights Bill – senior lawyer’s warning

A leading property disputes lawyer has highlighted significant problems ahead due to the government not properly resourcing the courts to deal with the influx of claims.

The Renters Rights Bill is now in the House of Lords but Gary Scott, property dispute resolution partner with London law firm Spector Constant & Williams, predicts trouble ahead.

“The legislation will be a seismic change in how tenancies operate and a huge increase in regulation of landlords in the private rented sector. There is a massively increased role for regulation by local authorities and a hefty increase in the level of fines they can issue” he says.

“Landlords who inadvertently or deliberately breach regulations, can be fined up to £40,000 without a tribunal or court determination.

“The committee stages of the passage of this bill has made clear that the government has no intention of properly resourcing the courts and tribunal to deal with the inevitable influx of claims and additionally required court time in dealing with disputes over rent increases and possession.” Landlord Today