Denial of Impact Assessment for Tenants' Rights Legislation
The government's decision not to publish the Justice Impact Test for the Renters' Rights Bill has raised concerns about transparency and the potential impact on the UK's courts and tribunals. Reapit, a leading supplier to the lettings industry, has expressed these concerns following their request for access to the internal government document.
The Renters' Rights Bill, which is anticipated to receive Royal Assent by the government's summer recess next month, aims to reform the rental sector. However, the refusal to publish the Justice Impact Test has left industry stakeholders, including landlords, tenants, letting agents, and legal professionals, in the dark about the bill's expected effects on court and tribunal caseloads.
Dr Neil Cobbold, Reapit's commercial director, has emphasized the need for clarity on how the Renters' Rights Bill will impact access to justice. He believes that the publication of the Justice Impact Test is crucial for wider scrutiny and transparency, arguing that the estimate of changes in the number of court and tribunal cases is a vital tool for understanding the bill's operational impact on the property sector.
The Justice Impact Assessments are internal government documents that are not routinely published. When proposing changes with a potential court impact, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is required to complete a form and submit it to the Ministry of Justice for a Justice Impact Assessment. This process gathers estimates on the projected volume of court and tribunal cases, as well as any changes to legal aid resulting from the proposed legislation.
In response to Reapit's request, Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at MHCLG, stated that while the document cannot be shared, MHCLG is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service to manage the implementation of reforms and ensure courts and tribunals have the necessary resources to handle any changes in caseloads arising from the bill.
Despite the lack of published information, Baroness Taylor expects the reforms in the Renters' Rights Bill to reduce the volume of court possession claims in the longer term. Only those cases where there is a clear, well-evidenced ground for possession will be able to proceed under the reforms.
As the rental market continues to evolve, with short stays through Airbnb contributing to the rental crisis, the importance of transparency and clear communication about legislation like the Renters' Rights Bill cannot be overstated. Reapit's call for the publication of the Justice Impact Test is a reminder of the need for openness and accountability in shaping the future of the UK's rental sector.
The lack of publication of the Justice Impact Test for the Renters' Rights Bill, a policy-and-legislation aimed at reforming the rental sector, has ignited debates about transparency in local government politics. The refusal to release the document has left stakeholders in the dark about the bill's potential effects on general-news such as court and tribunal caseloads.
In view of this, Dr Neil Cobbold, Commercial Director of Reapit, a key player in the lettings industry, has urged for the publication of the Justice Impact Test, stating that it is essential for understanding the bill's operational impact on the property sector and ensuring access to justice for all. This call for transparency underscores the importance of openness and accountability in shaping the future of the UK's rental sector.
