Why landlord eviction delays could be the biggest issue in 2026
3 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 2024 - Comments: 207
7:21 PM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
I’m going to email this clown tomorrow when I have had time to think about it, What’s the chances of a reply? I’m thinking 0%
i’
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 392
7:15 PM, 19th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Penny crook is counting down the days until he’s kicked out so he’s out to cause maximum distress to LL, apart from that he couldn’t care less about the PRS.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 59
9:00 AM, 21st February 2026, About 2 months ago
It’s how they will deal with it that is in doubt. If they start throwing out each application with the most minor or mistakes then that is not clearing the backlog. That is simply cooking the books or ticking the boxes.
We need justice just like any other citizen.
This government is taking action out of spite and jealousy. It is ruining the property market sector which is not good for the landlords or the tenants.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1507
9:21 AM, 21st February 2026, About 2 months ago
This is the kind of claim that could be made by Elon Musk (when will his FSD be ready).
It falls into the same category of statements that my old magager used to say ‘the paperless toilet will arrive before the paperless office’ – that was over 20 years ago, and its just about now that paperless offices are viable (the Japanese have had paperless toilets for years).
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2204 - Articles: 2
11:56 AM, 21st February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 21/02/2026 – 09:21
I have both a paperless office and paperless toilets in my own house. I would not revert to paper for either.
Member Since January 2020 - Comments: 93
3:04 PM, 22nd February 2026, About 2 months ago
From ChatGPT: the UK government has made an official announcement about the development of a digital possession service as part of the wider reforms flowing from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, but the details and exact timeline are still emerging. 
📢 What’s been officially said so far
• The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (which underpins court procedure changes) includes provisions for the creation of a new digital possession service — an online platform that will allow landlords and tenants to start, track and manage possession claims digitally. This is intended to modernise and speed up what has traditionally been a paper-based court process. 
• As part of discussions in Parliament on the Renters’ Rights Act implementation, a government minister indicated that the “first iteration” of the new digital platform for processing possession cases is expected to be released in late Spring 2026. However, there has been no detailed official announcement yet on the exact launch date or full functionality. 
• The court service (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) is preparing for this by improving capacity and digitising processes, but confirmed schedules and user guidance (e.g., how to register, what steps will be available online) have not yet been published officially. 
📅 When will it be available?
At this stage, based on available government and parliamentary information:
• Late Spring 2026 is the target for the initial release of the digital possession service, but this is not yet confirmed with a precise date. 
• It is being developed in the context of the wider Renters’ Rights Act rollout, where **key reforms — including how possession claims are handled — begin rolling out from 1 May 2026. 
🚦 Implementation context
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (which received Royal Assent in October 2025) is being phased in through 2026 and beyond. The digital system for possession claims is part of ensuring the courts can handle the shift away from “no-fault” evictions to a more regulated ground-based system requiring effective case management. 
⸻
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 59
10:54 PM, 23rd February 2026, About 2 months ago
A couple of losses in the elections and may be it’s time for the U turn again.
I.am also hoping that any new councils will simply.not pursue any of the central government’s legislations and the law will die through natural cause.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1507
6:42 AM, 24th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by G Master at 23/02/2026 – 22:54
Not a chance that the councils won’t pursue it – it means more jobs for the council staff and more income in fines.
Member Since May 2022 - Comments: 90
7:33 AM, 24th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Just an update to my previous comment.
So, last week I arrended my local, and I musy say absolutely excellent county court, to arrange for the service of papers today former tenant etc.
I was advised that they have a backlog as well as staff shortages/sickness so there will be a delay in papers being processed.
“This” before the tsunami of paperwork that will become the norm in the future.
We have a Government and Minister which is alone in believing its own delusional rhetoric..