Figures suggest that more landlords than ever are using landlord insurance protection to help them evict tenants from their properties.
According to the Ministry of Justice, almost 35,000 cases of landlords trying to evict tenants from properties came before the courts in England and Wales in the first quarter of 2011. The figures are up on the corresponding period for last year by 5%, and experts fear that the Welfare Reforms and Housing Benefit cuts will lead to even more cases being heard in the next 12 months.
Around 70% of the cases resulted in magistrates making an order of compliance, although almost half of these orders were suspended to give landlords and tenants time to reconcile the dispute. It appears that social landlords experience more trouble from tenants than private landlords do. 65% of the cases were brought by social landlords, and they were also responsible for the majority of the suspended orders.
Private landlords used the new accelerated procedure to get their properties back more than social landlords, with London landlords leading the way in trying to get rid of troublesome tenants.
A spokesman for eviction specialists, Turner and Howard, said: “The rise in eviction notices issued is symptomatic of the housing shortage and increased private rents due to demand.” He went on to say: “Landlords can minimise the risk of eviction by setting achievable rents. If set at a reasonable level there is less chance of rent arrears, costly court procedures and rental voids. By acting fast and talking with the tenant, landlords can also minimise further arrears and arrange a suitable repayment plan with the tenant, before arrears get out of hand.”