Credit: The Bolton News
Record Rental Repossessions in Bolton: Challenges and Solutions
Cardwells Estate Agents sheds light on the unsettling surge in rental repossessions plaguing Bolton, where nearly 100 properties have been repossessed without explicit reasons since the Government’s pledge to ban no-fault evictions in 2019. This alarming trend, reflected in the Ministry of Justice’s latest figures, underscores the profound impact on local families and individuals abruptly uprooted from their homes. As the borough grapples with this crisis, industry veteran Andrew Cardwell, Managing Director of Cardwells Estate Agents, offers invaluable insights into the complex dynamics driving this phenomenon and its implications for both tenants and landlords in the community.
Insights from Cardwells Estate Agents
Andrew Cardwell’s analysis delves into the multifaceted factors influencing the surge in Section 21 evictions, highlighting the transitional phase preceding the implementation of new regulatory measures as a key driver. With landlords exercising their prerogative to initiate Assured Shorthold Tenancy terminations through Section 21 without divulging specific grounds, Cardwell suggests varied motivations underpinning such actions, ranging from personal occupancy requirements to property sales. Moreover, disruptions stemming from the pandemic, including court closures and landlord hesitancy to displace tenants amidst economic uncertainty, may have exacerbated the backlog in repossession cases. Despite these challenges, Cardwell underscores the prevalence of tenant-initiated terminations, emphasizing the importance of fostering long-term occupancy for professional landlords. However, the escalating number of Section 21 notices and subsequent repossessions elicits condemnation from local activists like Billa Ahmed, Co-Founder of Homeless Aid UK, who decry the adverse impact on vulnerable renters and the looming specter of homelessness.
Read the full news article on The Bolton News here.
