Eviction service Landlord Action has lambasted Government plans to increase court fees.
The planned changes take effect from 22 April 2014. Fees for possession claims will see one of the largest increases at 60%, and Landlord Action claims they could spark a stampede of possession cases in the next two weeks from landlords trying to beat the rises.
Currently the application for possession, which is used after service of a section 8 notice, costs £175, the same as an accelerated possession claim used after service of a section 21 notice. From 22 April this fee will increase to £280.
The possession claim online (PCOL) service which can only be used after a section 8 notice on rent arrears grounds, currently has a discounted fee of £100. This will rise by 150% to £250, making the discount for using the online system far less appealing.
The only fee which is not rising is the warrant of possession when a bailiff is required, which remains at £110.
The Government has stated “the benefits brought by a simplified approach with a fee which reflects the average cost of issuing such proceedings justifies the change.”
Landlord Action Paul Shamplina said: “The rises are ludicrous and will have a huge impact on those landlords and letting agents who find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to start eviction proceedings. Landlords who are seeking possession of their property are usually already in financial difficulty due to rent arrears or damage to their property, so increasing the cost of fighting this battle, and by such a significant jump, seems wholly unfair.”
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