The government has pledged that Section 21 repossessions will not be abolished until improvements have been made to the way courts handle legitimate possession cases.

According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), it currently takes an average of over half a year for the courts to process possession claims where landlords have good cause, such as tenant rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.

The NRLA is among a host of organisations that have argued that without quicker court processes, responsible landlords would simply leave the market following the abolition of section 21, at a time when renters are already struggling to find a place to live.

Responding to a report from the House of Commons Housing Select Committee ahead of MPs debating the Renters (Reform) Bill today, the government has confirmed that implementation of the new system for repossessing properties ‘will not take place until we judge sufficient progress has been made to improve the courts.’

It continues: ‘That means we will not proceed with the abolition of section 21, until reforms to the justice system are in place.’

Ben Beadle, chief executive at the NRLA, said: “Reform of the rental market will only work if it has the confidence of responsible landlords every bit as much as tenants. This is especially important given the rental housing supply crisis renters now face.”