§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on reviewing the remedy of distress for rent as part of the on-going reform of the civil justice system and review of civil enforcement. [160696]
§ Mr. LockAs part of the on-going reform of the civil justice system and the review of civil enforcement, we have been reviewing the remedy of distress for rent. We recognise that there are concerns about the current procedure, whereby landlords of (mainly commercial) property can seize their tenants' goods for non-payment of rent, without a court order or any prior notice. The Government accept that some change is necessary and desirable, and the Lord Chancellor has today issued a consultation paper on options for reform of distress for rent. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The aim of this consultation is to
establish the extent to. and way in which, distress for rent is currently used in both residential and commercial tenancies;consider the potential effect if it were completely abolished;consider the potential effect of its abolition in the residential sector; andseek views on proposals for a modified procedure.