The government have laid out proposals for a specialist Housing Court that would give tenants and landlords greater access to justice in the event of disputes.

Communities secretary James Brokenshire unveiled plans for the court that, if created, would provide support to help both parties navigate the legal system, providing a single path to redress issues for both landlords and tenants.

Still very much in the consultation stage, the government will now seek views on the plans.

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There is currently no one central court for housing disputes to be heard, and the rather fragmented process can see cases held in multiple hearings in different courts, or in some cases, transferring from court to tribunal and back again.

The process can be confusing and off-putting for tenants and landlords, particularly vulnerable people in the rental sector.

While the government said the court would be a welcome outlet for tenants who fear eviction if they complain about problems with their home, it would also be an important facility for landlords who have trouble legitimately reclaiming their property.

The court would create “a fair housing market that works for everyone,” the government said.

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Ministers believed the plans to streamline court processes could give landlords more confidence to offer longer tenancies, by making it easier to regain possession of their tenancy should they need to.

This is part of the government’s overhaul of the rental sector that some landlords believe is unfairly targetting them. Measures include abolishing letting fees, requiring landlords to become members of a client money protection scheme and capping deposits.

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