Petition for faster evictions and tenant database rejected

In response to a petition calling for faster evictions and a tenant database, the government said it does not support the proposals.

The government claim “it is not proportionate” to introduce a tenant database and argues that the Renters’ Rights Act will provide landlords with sufficient grounds for possession.

The petition reached more than 15,000 signatures, and once it reaches 10,000, the government is required to issue an official response.

Value contribution made by responsible landlords

As previously reported by Property118, the petition sought to amend the law for landlords by introducing a six-week expedited court process for mandatory grounds S8/7A (arrears and anti-social behaviour), creating a registered landlord database of court-evicted tenants, and raising the deposit cap to cover severe property damage.

However, the government said that while it “supports responsible landlords,” it rejected all three proposals.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The government has no plans to introduce an expedited court possession process for mandatory possession grounds, a tenant vetting database, or to raise the cap on tenancy deposits.

“We value the contribution made by responsible landlords, who provide quality homes to their tenants and understand that landlords must have robust possession grounds where there is a good reason to take their property back.”

Landlords need a smooth and efficient process

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords will be able to gain possession on certain grounds. The government says these possession grounds will be sufficient and nothing else is needed.

The government said in response to the petition: “The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) will introduce a new tenancy system from 1 May 2026. These reforms will clarify and expand grounds for possession, allowing landlords to regain possession when necessary, for example to sell or move in.

“Where a tenant is at fault, landlords will be able to seek possession using relevant grounds, including where a tenant commits anti-social behaviour, is damaging the property, or falls into significant arrears. While we recommend landlords and tenants work together to address issues, these possession grounds are sufficient to take action when this is not possible.

“Most tenancies end amicably without the need for landlords to take possession action in the county court. However, the government recognises that landlords need a smooth and efficient process when taking possession action if needed. Currently, the median average time from landlord claim to a possession order being issued is 7.3 weeks, below the HM Courts and Tribunal Service target of 8 weeks. Of those landlord possession claims issued in 2024, only a minority (28%) required enforcement by bailiffs, meaning that most cases take less than 27 weeks to resolve.”

The government adds: “We consider it important that tenants have the opportunity to attend a possession hearing if they wish to challenge an eviction. Vital statutory protections for tenants are built into the possession process, such as time available before a hearing to seek legal advice and reasonable notice before an eviction date.

“Safeguarding these tenant protections within the RRA is a key aspect of the Government’s approach to ensuring landlords can reclaim their property when necessary, while ensuring tenants can challenge unfair evictions. A shorter ‘expedited’ process would not allow sufficient time for these protections.”

Not proportionate to create a tenant database

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, all private landlords will need to sign up for the database, which will include information about their properties that tenants can access.

If a landlord lets or advertises a property without it first being registered on the database, they can be issued with a civil penalty of up to £7,000 or a £40,000 fine if they provide fraudulent information to the database.

However, the government has rejected a similar proposal for a tenant database, as outlined in the petition, which called for a registered landlord database of court-evicted tenants.

The government said: “We do not believe that it is proportionate to create a database for tenants who have previously been evicted by a bailiff following a court possession order.

“Private landlords and letting agents already have a range of tools available to them to obtain references from their tenants, and may consider various factors when deciding to let to a tenant, including previous or outstanding rent arrears and credit checks.”

As previously reported on Property118, the government previously hinted at combining the registration process for the PRS database and Ombudsman, but stopped short of confirming whether landlords will be required to pay separate fees for each scheme.