Communities Secretary in call for evidence on specialist Housing Court in England
The Communities Secretary has issued a call for evidence on the possible introduction of a specialist Housing Court in England.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) suggested that the court, if created, “would provide a single path of redress for both landlords and tenants – meaning both have the security of knowing they have somewhere to go to seek justice, with the power to resolve the dispute”.
It suggested that with housing disputes held in a number of different legal settings, the process could be confusing and act as a deterrent to some of the most vulnerable seeking justice.
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said: “Everyone deserves to live in a safe and decent home, and this government is bringing about real change in making renting more secure.
“This is particularly important for families and vulnerable tenants who live with the fear of suddenly being forced to move, or fear eviction if they complain about problems with their home. It is also important for landlords who, in a minority of cases, struggle to get their property back when they have reason to do so.
“The proposals announced today will help ensure both tenants and landlords can access justice when they need it – creating a fair housing market that works for everyone.”
The consultation, Considering the case for a Housing Court: call for evidence, can be viewed here.
In addition to the case for a new Housing Court, the ministry said it was seeking opinions on:
- The private landlord possession action process in the county court
- User experience in both the county courts and the First-tier Tribunal for property cases
- The case for other structural changes such as an extension of the remit of the property tribunal
The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 22 January 2019.
The impact on Wales of any changes to the current functions of the county court will be addressed separately in collaboration with the Welsh government, the MHCLG said.
