The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) said the court would provide landlords and tenants with swifter access to justice for contractual issues, such as property possession or action against landlords breaching the law.

It currently takes an average of 43 weeks for a landlord to regain possession of a property through the courts, during which time they may not receive any rent.

“The current court system is not fit for purpose,” said Alan Ward, chairman of the RLA.

“It takes too long and is too costly for landlords to repossess a property where tenants are not paying their rent, as well as for tenants to uphold their rights when faced with a landlord providing sub-standard housing.

“Landlords are more likely to rent property out to tenants for longer periods if they can more easily regain possession of a home where tenants are not paying their rent or committing anti-social behaviour.”

Freedom of information data obtained by the RLA last year found that of the 255 councils which responded, just 827 prosecutions had been taken out against landlords over the preceding five years after notices to improve a property had been issued.

The RLA’s call is one of six key requests outlined in the association’s manifesto ahead of the upcoming general election on 8^th June.

Additional requests include boosting housing supply by bringing unused public land and empty properties into use for private rental homes and a new trust to streamline deposit transfers.

The RLA also proposed effective enforcement against criminal landlords through guaranteed long-term funding for local authorities.

“We call on all parties to support this commonsense proposal,” added Alan.