Recommendation 6

We strongly recommend that the Government introduce a specialist housing court as the surest way of unblocking the housing court process. Whether it does this or not, it is absolutely essential that the Government significantly increase the courts’ ability to process possession claims quickly and efficiently and in a way that is fair to both landlords and tenants. This must involve prioritising and fast-tracking all possession claims in respect of rent arrears and antisocial behaviour. In consultation with landlords, the Government should also agree how quickly the courts need to be processing possession claims before landlords can have confidence in the system, and then commit to meeting this target before abolishing section 21. It should also collect and regularly publish data on its progress towards meeting this target.