Government launches digital possession service as full rollout looms

Property118 Government launches digital possession service as full rollout looms A pilot of a digital possession service will launch this month for county court possession proceedings in England and Wales. The pilot will initially be limited to social housing landlords in England and community landlords in Wales. Claims must relate to a property in an area served by one of four initial court centres: Bradford, Caernarfon, Huddersfield or Wandsworth. While the new system will not apply to most private rented sector possession claims, the pilot signals the likely direction of travel as the digitisation of possession proceedings for the private rented sector is expected to come into effect next year. Start proceedings through online service According to Propertymark, social housing landlords will start proceedings through the online service, upload supporting documents and pay the court fee digitally. The industry body writes on its website: “The claimant will need to provide relevant documents where they exist, including the tenancy or occupation agreement, notices, and a rent statement where arrears are relied upon. “In Wales, claimants must also upload the property’s EPC, gas safety record, and electrical installation condition report. Documents and evidence will normally be shared through the court’s digital service, although paper alternatives will remain available for unrepresented parties.” The new service also sets a standard timetable for the first hearing. This must take place no more than eight weeks after the claim is started, at least 28 days after the start date, and at least 21 days after the defendant is treated as having received the claim pack. However, Propertymark stresses that this timetable relates to the listing of the first hearing in cases using the new service. It is not a guarantee that all possession cases will be resolved within eight weeks. Digital service would reduce mistakes As previously reported by Property118 , the government has confirmed that the courts’ digitisation process for private rented sector landlords will allow possession claims to be dealt with “swiftly and effectively”. Courts Minister Sarah Sackman said the digitisation process will provide an online route for “making and responding to possession claims”, allowing landlords to file documents and receive updates and outcomes virtually. The new system will replace the existing process, under which courts must process and issue claims using physical documents, increasing the risk of lost paperwork and delays. Ms Sackman said the digital service would also reduce the risk of mistakes. She said the first stage of the changes will be rolled out by the end of this year, with the full digital rollout remaining on track for next year. The post Government launches digital possession service as full rollout looms appeared first on Property118 .