Courts need more cash to help prevent tenant eviction – Law Society

Courts need more cash to help prevent tenant eviction – Law Society

0:04 AM, 18th November 2024, About 2 hours ago 1

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The Law Society of England and Wales has issued an urgent call for increased funding for legal aid to support renters at risk of eviction.

The plea comes as new figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal a significant surge in possession orders.

Mortgage possession orders have rocketed by 38%, from 2,923 to 4,038, compared to the same period in 2023.

Similarly, landlord possession orders have increased by 7%, from 17,987 to 19,254.

The society says that these statistics indicate that nearly 25,000 people could face eviction.

As the housing crisis intensifies, the Law Society is urging the government to invest in the courts system to help deliver much-needed ‘rental market reforms’.

‘Urgent need for rental reform’

Law Society president, Richard Atkinson, said: “The rising number of eviction orders reflects the alarming state of our housing crisis and the urgent need for rental reform.

“The cost-of-living crisis has meant that renters are increasingly at risk of losing their homes.

“When faced with repossession, renters should be entitled to legal representation and access to justice.”

He added: “However, an underfunded justice system has denied renters a fair chance in court due to lack of legal aid.”

Legal aid provider for housing advice

He goes on: “It is deeply concerning that 25.3m people (42%) do not have a local legal aid provider for housing advice.

“This means that there is no support for renters who cannot afford legal help.

“It is critical that the government invests in the legal aid system, so that renters have the help they need to avoid losing their homes.”

He adds: “While we welcome the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, it will struggle to achieve effective rental reform without funding the justice system and legal aid.

“The government must immediately invest £4.3 million in housing legal aid alongside the Bill to close this gap in provision.

“Labour must recognise that only a well-funded justice system can protect renters’ rights.”


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Jack Jennings

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2:16 AM, 18th November 2024, About 3 minutes ago

Never mind the legal aid. The courts need a good shake up so that landlords don't have to wait months for a simple decision to enforce a legally binding AST agreement.

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