Michael Gove reassures landlords on grounds for recovery

Housing secretary Michael Gove has reassured landlords that the government will provide “more comprehensive grounds for landlords to recover properties” and to make it “easier to repossess them where tenants are at fault”.

Writing in the members magazine for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Gove added that “it is important that the law is there for the victim – whether tenant or landlord”.

The Minister went on to pledge to improve the system where repossession cases end up in courts, citing the use of “digital platforms” as a way of speeding up the processing of legitimate repossession claims.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “We welcome the Housing Secretary’s commitments, and his recognition of the importance of individual landlords.

“As he rightly notes, the Renters (Reform) Bill needs to work for responsible landlords every bit as much as tenants. Without this it will serve only to exacerbate the rental housing shortage many tenants are now facing.

“The NRLA will continue to work closely with ministers to ensure the details of the Bill work for all. This includes campaigning for improvements to the courts system to ensure landlords are not left for months on end where they have a legitimate reason to repossess a property.”

The Secretary of State concluded by declaring that the ggovernment looked forward to working closely with the NRLA “to shape the sector for the good of landlords, and tenants, right across the country.”