Private property landlords launch campaign to speed up legal process for non payment and anti social

 
The campaign, Rebalancing the Law, is backed by the Residential Landlords Association, the Southern Landlord Association and Mike Weatherley MP for Hove and Portslade.
 
It calls for speedier court action for landlords with problem tenants particularly when there is a clear case of either non payment of rent or anti social behaviour by the tenant.
 
‘The first objective is to raise awareness of the problem and highlight the difficulties experienced by landlords when faced with problem tenants. The more landlords are aware of potential issues that they may face, the better they can prepare for them,’ said Paul Shamplina of Landlord Action.
 
‘Secondly, we are seeking changes to the law in order to speed up the eviction process. This is particularly important when there is a clear case of either non payment of rent or anti social behaviour that exists from the tenant. We are also seeking changes to the law to improve a landlord’s rights of access to their own property in the case of non payment of rent or anti social behaviour,’ he explained.
 
‘Finally, as part of the campaign and in partnership with the Residential Landlord Association, we are seeking commitment from the government that proposed closures of any UK County Courts will not result in delays for landlords trying to obtain possession of their property,’ he added.
 
A growing issue is squatters. The campaigners highlight the case of Suzy Butler who returned to the UK from a charity tour in Peru to find that her tenant was in arrears and refusing to move out of the property. It took months for her to regain possession of her property and, at one stage, she was forced to live in a tent with her four year old son since they were effectively homeless.
 
‘We accept that in many cases, tenants will have a valid defence against being evicted where, for example, the landlord has not maintained the property properly. Quite rightly, evidence must be heard and these cases should take longer. But, in most eviction cases, tenants do not turn up to Court and there is not enough support for single property landlords who may have been forced to let out their properties due to financial hardship or unforeseen personal circumstances so, not being able to reclaim their homes is disastrous,’ Shamplina explained further.
 
‘It leaves the owners feeling like no one is on their side, especially as local councils are advising tenants to stay put until they are legally obliged to leave. The system needs a complete overhaul to give more support to landlords, in particular single property landlords,’ he added.
  As well as presenting Parliament with a petition, Weatherley said he also intends to put forward the concerns directly to the house.