Landlords race to serve notices ahead of Section 21 abolition – Landlord Action
5 months ago | 1 comments
Court delays persist despite government claims of progress
12:01 AM, 2nd January 2026, 4 months ago
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The government claims it has made significant progress in tackling the court backlog, despite landlords often waiting months to regain possession of their properties.
In response to a written question, Courts Minister Sarah Sackman claimed the government is promoting early dispute resolution to help reduce unnecessary demand on the courts.
However, an industry body has warned that the government must go further to reform the court system before the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026.
Insufficient court reform to help process housing-related issues and concerns
Ms Sackman said: “The government has made significant progress in increasing the processing capacity of the courts and tribunals system and remains committed to reducing backlog.”
However, the latest Ministry of Justice figures show that the median time from claim to warrant is 15.3 weeks, up from 14 weeks in the same period in 2024, while median time from claim to actual repossession has increased to 27.4 weeks, up from 24.4 weeks.
After 1 May 2026, every case will need to go through a court hearing, and landlords will only be able to seek possession by demonstrating specific grounds.
Propertymark warns without court reform, landlords could leave the private rented sector.
Megan Eighteen, ARLA Propertymark President, told Property118: “Currently, there has been insufficient court reform to help process housing-related issues and concerns. Any additional increases in costs can be overwhelming for many landlords and prove to be a contributory factor in them leaving the sector, thereby causing additional pressures on already overstretched stock levels.
“The UK government has a target of digitising courts by 2028, which is hoped will boost capacity in dealing with possession proceedings, should a landlord have to serve a Section 8 notice. We hope that the UK government can smoothly introduce reform to the court system to ensure we have a resilient system that keeps pace with demand.”
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Member Since February 2020 - Comments: 360
10:25 AM, 2nd January 2026, About 4 months ago
This government has a policy of saying everything is fine all the time, even when it’s not. As long as you’re not personally affected, you’d believe them.
We know better.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 374
10:55 AM, 2nd January 2026, About 4 months ago
Useless Labour government, more lies.Get them out.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1642 - Articles: 3
11:09 AM, 2nd January 2026, About 4 months ago
‘… government remains committed… blah! blah! blah!’ How about providing the details of that commitment. My eviction took 15 months, and I can’t see it taking any less when the RRA arrives. As for ‘dispute resolution’, why would a tenant do that if they can simply stay put and not pay rent?
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
11:36 AM, 2nd January 2026, About 4 months ago
The new “dispute resolution” procedures will be the magic solution to reduce the number of cases going to Court. Tenant not paid rent, in more than three months arrears and Section 8 issued after required 28 days notice on top ? Not good enough. Case will be thrown out by the Judge as you didn’t attempt any “dispute resolution”. Landlord will need to start case again from the beginning. Come back when you can evidence your dispute resolution. And there we have it Court delays are gone. It’s coming folks.
Member Since June 2018 - Comments: 17
11:54 AM, 2nd January 2026, About 4 months ago
Does resolution actually work in these cases? Has there been a trial of this system?
If the tenant hasn’t paid rent because they just don’t want to pay the rent, how will the resolution process help? Or when the owner is going to sell?
The only instance I can see it has the potential for working, is where the tenant has withheld rent because they have a legitimate claim that repairs have not been carried out.
I simply see this part of the process as a delaying tactic and obfuscation of the figures. Presumably the clock will only start ticking AFTER the resolution process has failed.
Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 197
3:52 PM, 8th January 2026, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 02/01/2026 – 11:09
That is what the govrnment wants. We have a 2 tier system. They are only working for the tenants. Landlords are not treated as citizens of the UK but an outcast. Get anything they can get from the landlords.
They have made the court procedures worse than 2024 and prior to that.
A lot of have no choice but to stay for at least 3 to 7 years.