Portsmouth could have UK's first housing specific court to help tenants and landlords

City councillors revealed proposals to lobby for a housing specific legal division that deals with issues including evictions, poor quality homes and rent arrears.

The scheme was suggested as one of several ideas for Portsmouth City Council's private rental strategy, which will then be consulted on with tenants, landlords, charities and housing associations among others.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting yesterday (March 10) the council's housing boss, Councillor Darren Sanders, said: 'There's no one answer to this problem.

'That's why we want to lobby for us to be Britain's first housing court.'

Currently housing disputes are settled in county courts.

Alwin Oliver, vice chairman of the Portsmouth and District Private Landlords Association (PDPLA) explained why a specific system was needed. He said: 'We would ask firstly for a mediation service to try to settle things. But it could lead to a specialist division of the county court dealing just with housing.

'We think if there's a good system that a landlord or tenant can go and say “I have got a problem” and a mediator can help that would be better. It can take months for things to happen in county courts.

‘We will help the council lobby for funds from the ministry of housing, communities and local government for this.

'I genuinely believe it will improve the lot of tenants and landlords alike.'

Other ideas for consultation include loans for tenants to cover rent and for landlords to help improve their properties, as well as additional licensing for houses in multiple occupancy.

Some aspects of the council's private rental strategy are already underway such as the rent it right website - to allow tenants to see what landlords are accredited.

But Labour housing activist Cllr Cal Corkery had concerns. Speaking at cabinet he said: 'For some tenants that may suit them. But the people on the lowest income have no choice often.

'They're often looking around to see what landlord would take housing benefit or Universal Credit. The good landlords will sign up but the bad landlords won't because it's optional.'

Cllr Corkery also made the case again for selective licensing of landlords, which Cllr Sanders said 'would not work' during the meeting.

There are around 30,000 private renters in Portsmouth.