Small landlords more likely to leave the market claims NRLA
3 weeks ago | 4 comments
Lengthening court possession delays will see landlords leave the PRS
8:58 AM, 31st March 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Landlords are waiting more than a year to regain possession of their properties as court delays continue to disrupt the private rented sector.
Propertymark points to recent data which shows possession cases are taking many months to conclude, with delays recorded at several stages of the legal process.
The findings reflect a pattern that agents say is leaving disputes unresolved for long periods.
Quarterly Court Watch data highlights the delay from an initial claim through to enforcement.
And, in some cases, landlords are losing thousands of pounds while awaiting hearings and bailiff action.
Court possession timelines
Propertymark said: “A functioning, efficient court system underpins the entire private rented sector.
“Without it, landlords face increased risk, tenants face prolonged uncertainty, and agents are left managing disputes that should be resolved far more quickly.”
The organisation’s own data shows a sharp rise in timelines.
It says the average duration from claim to repossession is now more than 68 weeks, compared with just over 20 weeks in 2019.
Rents arrears grow
That shift is being felt most acutely in cases involving rent arrears or property damage.
Proceedings that once moved within months are now extending well beyond a year.
Administrative backlogs, adjournments and delays in bailiff enforcement continue to feature across cases.
These issues, already present in previous years, are still evident in the latest figures.
More investment
A lack of investment in the courts has been identified as a central factor in the growing possession delays.
Without additional resources or reform, cases continue to queue while costs build for both landlords and tenants.
Propertymark says that at the point of eviction, average unpaid rent stands at £12,708 across England and Wales, rising to £19,223 in London.
It is now warning that sustained delays could influence landlords to leave the PRS.
Changes needed
The organisation has called for changes to the possession process with proposals which include increased court resourcing and the digitisation of claims.
It also wants the creation of a specialist Housing Tribunal, and an automatic right to transfer cases to High Court Enforcement Officers.
Propertymark said it has raised these issues at senior levels, including in the House of Lords, where court reform has been identified as a priority.
Tags:
court delays landlords, High Court enforcement possession, possession timelines England, Propertymark court reform, PRS court backlog, rent arrears eviction delays
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Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 346
10:31 AM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
68 weeks ON AVERAGE to get your property back. And the government claims that the courts will be ready for RRA section 8 claims! An absolute shambles.
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 111
12:54 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
I guess Labour are pinning their hopes on corporate landlords adding ‘professionalism’ to the sector as small investors leave. They have even left the lower CGT in place to encourage their departure. Perhaps they should take a look at how private corporations raised the standards in the water, rail, steel and energy sectors (of accepting subsidies whilst giving out dividends for a poor service).
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 346
12:58 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Most likely, Labour is intent on keeping the majority of voters (tenants) voting for them at any cost, rather than putting any real thought into what is good for the UK housing sector.
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
1:45 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
It saves the council having to house them
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 64
6:19 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
I’ve just been through this, the tenant left, refused to sign any paperwork or return keys and would not confirm they no longer lived there, while leaving the place in a total mess and also that they were using it for storage of goods – which were the old possessions they didn’t want and I had to pay to have them disposed of after going through a legal process to do so.
It’s a total disgrace, but no one cares about honest landlords, just tenants who abuse the system in total disregard to anyone else and flee with impunity – what can I do, they own me over £10k, but even if I take them back to court to enforce it, they don’t pay, and I can only take them back to court again – it’s a joke.
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 346
6:24 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Disillusioned Landlord at 31/03/2026 – 18:19
Take them to court anyway, just to get a CCJ and make their life a bit difficult,
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 145
8:26 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ryan Stevens at 31/03/2026 – 10:31
Landlords should not be so put upon in the event that rent is no longer being paid
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 204
10:26 PM, 31st March 2026, About 2 weeks ago
It’s all part of the plan … from now on, just don’t ever take on a tenant that gives the slightest room for doubt.
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 111
10:12 AM, 1st April 2026, About 2 weeks ago
The whole bitterness about high rent can be summed up so simply. Between 2009 and 2022 the BOE base rate was 1% or less which meant cheap lending with 200k perhaps only costing 5k per year in interest . Now 200k will cost more like 11k per year in interest only, some of which has been passed on. No one is shedding tears for the home owners who are having to accept this burden. It’s all about the poor baby bird tenants.
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 392
2:00 PM, 1st April 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Court delays will continue to get worse. How strange it is when a couple of naughty words on the net can see you in court and banged up all inside a couple of days. How about the courts doing normal hours ie 8-9 per day might just help .