Courtroom skills for local authorities prosecutions
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Initiating Legal Action in Rent Arrears Cases
Initiating Legal Action in Rent Arrears Cases under The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014
Online / In Person
2 days
About this course
Dealing with tenants who are in rent arrears is a challenging issue for local authorities. In the current environment with increasing demands on housing lists, local authority staff are under increasing pressure to handle cases in rent arrears quickly and efficiently.
Housing Officers go to great lengths to address cases where tenants are in rent arrears. However, in a number of cases, non-legal measures fail and housing officers have no option but to take steps to terminate the tenancy. At times this is the only viable option available to the housing authority.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 has changed the landscape, incorporating fair procedure principles putting them on a statutory footing. This will mean that steps and procedures under the Act must now be followed before initiating legal proceedings for possession.
Why choose this course
Many statutory agencies grossly underestimate the importance and significance of providing proper training to officers charged with enforcing legislation. Not only must officers know the law, they need to gain key skills and competencies in its application.
This includes understanding the application of the relevant powers, knowing how to investigate, issuing warnings and if appropriate proceeding to initiating procedures for possession, applying the rules of evidence and understanding how the court system works.
This legal training course will give delegates the practical knowledge and the confidence to greatly improve their ability to meet their obligations and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
This course can also be run specifically for your organisation, which is a good option for training a large number of employees cost-effectively.
La Touche Training delivers this legal training course in-house for local authorities throughout the country. Training can be run at a time, date and venue suitable to you.
Course syllabus
This intensive two day experiential in-house legal training course will cover what a local authority must now do under Part 2 of the Act in order to terminate a tenancy in cases of rent arrears.
Housing officers and all local authority staff who have to deal with termination of tenancies dealing with cases in rent arrears in rented accommodation will greatly benefit from this training.
Course Module 1
This day will examine the processes and procedural steps that must be followed together with the evidence required under Part 2 of the 2014 Act to terminate a tenancy.
In particular, it will look at the level of investigation and evidence required, and the statutory notices and proofs that will be essential to succeed in an application for possession under the 2014 Act.
Course Module 2
The follow-on day will cover the procedures in court when an application for a termination of tenancy is brought under Part 2 of the Act. It will cover the procedures in court on the day and likely challenges to the application
Course attendees should note that they will be asked to provide a case study (not a live case) prior to course commencement, for use at the course.
Our expert trainers
La Touche Training Legal Experts
We work with a wide panel of specialist trainers, all chosen based on their experience and knowledge, experience both in practice and as trained trainers. The majority of our trainers are experienced...
Read BioPractical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
Initiating Legal Action in Rent Arrears Cases
FAQs
This course provides practical guidance on how to take legal action in rent arrears cases in Ireland. It focuses on the procedures, legal requirements, and documentation needed to progress cases from arrears management to court proceedings.
The course is designed for local authority housing staff, tenancy management officers, and professionals involved in managing rent arrears and initiating legal proceedings against tenants.
Rent arrears cases in the local authority context are generally governed by housing legislation such as the Housing Act 1966 and subsequent amendments, along with relevant tenancy agreements and procedures.
Legal action is typically considered when arrears persist despite engagement with the tenant and attempts to resolve the issue. The course explains when escalation is appropriate and what steps must be taken beforehand.
Before initiating proceedings, landlords must usually follow internal arrears management procedures, engage with tenants, issue appropriate notices, and ensure that all documentation is accurate and complete.
Key documents include rent account statements, correspondence with the tenant, records of engagement, tenancy agreements, and any notices served. These documents form the basis of the legal case.
Most rent arrears cases involving local authorities are dealt with in the District Court, where applications may be made for possession or recovery of arrears.
Yes. It includes guidance on preparing documentation, presenting the case, and understanding court procedures relevant to rent arrears proceedings.
Common issues include incomplete documentation, failure to follow proper procedures, inadequate engagement with tenants, and errors in notices or calculations of arrears.
Yes. The course is designed for housing and administrative staff without legal qualifications, providing clear and practical explanations of the legal process.
