Lord Carter of Haslemere

The Renters’ Rights Bill will introduce new protections for tenants who temporarily fall into rent arrears, supporting both parties by preventing tenancies which are otherwise viable from ending. We will protect tenants from eviction if their arrears are due to the timing of a relevant welfare payment. Tenants will not face mandatory eviction under Ground 8 if they breach the three months arrears threshold because they have not yet received a Universal Credit payment for housing costs which they have been assessed as entitled to.

As Universal Credit is assessed every month, the protection period will apply in any period between the end of an assessment period and the relevant Universal Credit payment, which can usually be up to five days.

We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Justice to agree how the Renter’s’ Rights Bill will be implemented so that the justice system has the resources needed to adjust to any changes in caseload.

Work is also progressing on updating Court and Tribunal rules and procedures in readiness for the implementation of the new legislation.

We are committed to digitising the court process to make it more efficient and easier to understand for landlords and tenants.

In the longer term we expect our reforms to reduce the volume of court possession claims, as only those cases where there is a clear, well-evidenced ground for possession will be able to proceed. This will help to offset any increased pressure on the courts resulting from our reforms.

We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Justice to agree how the Renter’s’ Rights Bill will be implemented so that the justice system has the resources needed to adjust to any changes in caseload.

Work is also progressing on updating Court and Tribunal rules and procedures in readiness for the implementation of the new legislation.

We are committed to digitising the court process to make it more efficient and easier to understand for landlords and tenants.

In the longer term we expect our reforms to reduce the volume of court possession claims, as only those cases where there is a clear, well-evidenced ground for possession will be able to proceed. This will help to offset any increased pressure on the courts resulting from our reforms.