Why landlord eviction delays could be the biggest issue in 2026
2 months ago | 6 comments
Government claims courts will be ready for Renters’ Rights Act
9:01 AM, 18th February 2026, 2 months ago
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The government claim the county courts will have the capacity to deal with the Renters’ Rights Act and urges tenants to attend possession hearings.
In answer to a written question, the government say tenants must have access to justice, and the government will launch a new digital possession service.
The news comes as Landlord Action figures reveal that landlords are facing the longest court waiting times in 20 years.
County courts will have the resources and capacity to handle workload
Liberal Democrat MP Dr Roz Savage asked the government: “What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Act on court workloads relating to possession proceedings; and whether administrative or time-limited possession processes have been considered where landlords have complied fully with regulatory requirements.”
In response, Labour MP Jake Richards said: “The Ministry of Justice continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that the justice system is well prepared for the implementation of the Renters Right’s Act in May, including the impact on the county court.
“We will ensure that the county court has the resources and capacity it needs to handle the additional possession workload these reforms will generate. A core part of this work is the development of a brand-new digital possession service.”
However, as previously reported by Property118, in a letter to the Justice Select Committee, National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) chief executive Ben Beadle warns that the government has not provided clarity on how the courts will be prepared for the digital possession process.
Vital for tenants to access justice
Mr Richards adds: “In relation to administrative possession, the government considers it important that a tenant has the opportunity to attend a possession hearing as this is vital for tenants’ access to justice, especially in the new tenancy system where landlords must always evidence that possession grounds have been met.
“In relation to time limits, the Civil Procedure Rules have a target for all possession hearings to be listed within eight weeks of issue. We believe this is appropriate and balances the rights of the tenant and landlord.”
However, despite a target of eight weeks for possession hearings, government statistics reveal landlords are waiting far longer.
As previously reported by Property118, the Ministry of Justice figures show it took courts an average of more than eight months to process and enforce landlord claims last year.
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Member Since May 2022 - Comments: 90
9:46 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Really!!!…this is amazing because, they are not even able to cope with or deal with current applications in a timely manner or fashion.
More nonsense from a Government in complete disarray and devoid of any understanding of the situation, or one which recognises the depth of problem, but as we have seen with recent events, is prepared to operate in what it believes is its own best interests, to the detriment of those it is intended to serve.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 147
9:48 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Ha!
There is a 24 month delay for some cases to come to court, many motoring cases do not get heard until 12 months after the supposed offence.
The courts are in turmoil.
Lammy is an utter moron & totally unfit for public office.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2203 - Articles: 2
9:50 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
In the landlord and tenant world every day is April the first.
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 9
10:06 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Gov says “tenants must have access to justice” … what about landlords – by denying them timely justice they’re effectively imposing “fines” on landlords by building up the amount of rent that they are owed (with little or no chance of getting the outstanding rents back).
Surely this cannot be right … morally if nothing else – I dont know (clearly) but isn’t this something that could be subject to judicial review ? Along the lines of “the gov by failing to act / provide resources are unjustly penalising some people”
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1447 - Articles: 1
10:51 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 18/02/2026 – 09:48
This Government is unfit. Period
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1447 - Articles: 1
10:55 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian CB at 18/02/2026 – 10:06
The scope of judicial review is limited both in its availability and function: the role of the court is not to re-make the decision being challenged, or to inquire into the merits of that decision, but to conduct a review of the process by which the decision was reached in order to assess whether that decision was legally flawed.
The people need to be on the streets demanding the King dissolves this Parliament.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 977 - Articles: 1
10:56 AM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Indeed…And the pigs can fly!
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3535 - Articles: 5
12:19 PM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
hahahahah!
Like they really care, even if it comes to a grinding halt. It just means no possessions. The Socialist/Communist dream.
Member Since August 2023 - Comments: 36
12:40 PM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
We need to keep Pennycooks feet firmly to then fire on this. If the government fails then the government should pick up the bill. It would be great if the NRLA could spend some of their 10 million a year income defending landlords interests here. Is this unreasonable or do I misunderstand the facts?
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 374
3:56 PM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Ready for whom, definitely not landlords, but they will bend over backwards to assist tenants and councils who wish to take landlords to court.
Get this mob out, government and Labour , Lib Dem and Conservative.councils .