Renters’ Rights Act could worsen court delays without proper funding | Letters

Investment in the courts and legal aid will be vital to deal with the expected increase in contested repossession cases, says Mark Evans of the Law Society of England and Wales

The new Renters’ Rights Act is a step forward in ensuring that both tenants and landlords can access justice, but without proper investment it risks creating new court delays and injustices for both parties (The Guardian view on the Renters’ Rights Act: finally, protections fit for the modern housing market, 5 May).

The end of “no fault” evictions in England is expected to lead to an increase in the number of contested repossession cases. If courts do not have the funding to handle the increase, delays will grow and leave many people in limbo, as we have recently seen with the closure of the Hillingdon Law Centre.