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2 months ago | 17 comments
Landlord possession claims fall ahead of Section 21 ban
12:01 AM, 25th February 2026, 2 months ago
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Landlord possession claims dropped 7.8% in 2025 despite the approaching removal of Section 21, research reveals.
According to Inventory Base, there were 91,093 claims issued during the year, compared with 98,766 in 2024.
The fall comes ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect on 1 May.
The Act will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ repossession.
In practice, this will shift possession proceedings towards fault-based grounds and tighter evidential thresholds.
Possessions may rise
The firm’s operations director, Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, said: “As the implementation date approaches, we may see an uptick in repossessions, but this isn’t only a landlord issue.
“Letting agents will be the ones managing the operational reality: increased scrutiny, more disputes and far greater reliance on inspection evidence.”
She says preparation is key with regular, consistent inspections and detailed inventories and risk assessments.
Ms Hemming-Metcalfe said: “When tenants feel safe and settled, they are far more likely to stay long term.
“Longer tenancies reduce churn, minimise costly void periods, and cut the expense of repeated marketing and onboarding.”
Volumes fell too
Quarterly volumes moved lower as well, with claims averaging 23,553 per quarter in 2023.
They increased to 24,692 in 2024, then fell to 22,773 in 2025.
The firm says that any backlog may now move quickly.
Claims issued before the 1 May implementation date will proceed under existing rules, after which repossession becomes more difficult.
Tags:
evictions UK, inventory inspections UK, landlord possession claims, letting agent compliance, property repossessions, Renters’ Rights Act, section 21 ban
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Buy to let remains popular with wealthy investors
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1589
3:02 PM, 25th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Some landlords are waiting until 1st May for to take advantage of the new Section 8 Ground 1A. Fewer hurdles than Section 21.
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 365
5:05 PM, 28th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 25/02/2026 – 15:02
It is only possession claims that go to court that are logged. What percentage of tenants just leave after being served a section 21 notice? There may be more unregistered repossessions going on. Also, as the number of rental properties is shrinking, you would expect Section 21 claims to be shrinking at least in proportion.
Cider Drinker is right maybe Section 8 Ground 1A will become the nuclear option as section 21 used to be. However, the property will now be lost to the rental market, unlike Section 21 where you could renovate the property and re-let it (I have done this before , but never again) .
I worry about how Ground 1A will actually work in practice. How do you prove that it is your intention to sell the property? Instructing an estate agent possibly a year in advance of the property actually being available does not seem practical. If the trickle of landlord sales becomes a torrent who knows what desperate action a Government may take, especially if they listen to Shelter, Generation rent etc.?
Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 197
5:44 PM, 5th March 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by northern landlord at 28/02/2026 – 17:05
I can see that S8, Ground !A will be used a lot. This will work for the landlords who have a few properties and cover the cost of the empty property. Either put it for sale or get some work done and just keep it empty for 12 months. Alternatively sell 1 to 2 properties and keep cash for such eventualities.
People with one to three proeprties will struggle, especially if mortgaged properties. Some may get out of the market prior to their plans.
I have started selling and no stopping until I have 2 to 3 properties left with cash and smaller mortgages. 3 within the next 6 months and then gradually.
I have other plans for my cash. Putting more ISA’s, other stocks and shares, some high yielding bonds and accounts with no phone calls for work to be done for gas engineers etc.