9:50 AM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago 7
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Landlord repossessions across England and Wales have rocketed in the past year, ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law and scrapping Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.
An analysis by letting agency acquisition firm Dwelly shows a 6.8% national increase in repossessions compared to the previous year, while some towns recorded far sharper rises.
Thurrock leads the way with a dramatic 2,540% jump, followed by Basildon at 889% and Castle Point at 183%.
Welwyn Hatfield (165%) and Horsham (150%) also featured among the steepest local rises.
The firm’s Sam Humphreys said: “The abolition of Section 21 is a cornerstone of the incoming Renters’ Rights Bill, but it risks removing a vital safeguard for landlords and the sharp rise in repossessions is a clear sign that landlords are already acting to protect themselves in advance of these changes.
“It’s important to understand this isn’t about landlords leaving the market, or evicting tenants for the sake of it, but about them seeking to retain control of their assets whilst they can do so via current processes.”
He added: “The private rented sector is essential to housing supply and if the Bill makes it harder for landlords to operate, it could backfire by further reducing availability for tenants at a time when demand has never been higher.”
At a regional level, the East of England reported the biggest upturn at 22.8% while London, which logged the highest overall total of 7,953 cases, recorded a 19.5% rise.
Landlord repossessions in the West Midlands climbed 13.4%.
However, smaller rises were seen in the North East, East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Only three regions went against the trend with Wales posting a fall of 33.8%, the South East dropped 12.3% and the South West slipped by 3.9%.
According to Dwelly, the figures reflect a growing desire by landlords to take decisive steps before the law shifts.
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Paul Essex
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Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 648
11:31 AM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago
Does repossession here actually mean achieving vacant possession for sale rather than a mortgage default?
Keith Wellburn
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Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 262
13:32 PM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 11/09/2025 – 11:31
Strictly speaking the mortgage default process is Possession – as in possession order, but of course routinely referred to as repossession. Makes sense when you think about it – the lender was never in possession originally but with a rental property it is certainly the case that the landlord possesses it prior to a tenancy, thus seeking to repossess it if they want it back.
Suspicious Steve
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Member Since May 2025 - Comments: 52
13:57 PM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago
Not sure where they got this detailed break-down by area. The data I’ve found doesnt give that level of granularity. It does however show the average time to gain possession is 40 weeks (from raising a Possession Order Claim) and that there were more Social Landlord possession claims than private landlord claims. So maybe councils and social housing provides are raising lots of S21 to get rid of bad tenants before RRB comes into effect!
LaLo
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Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 365
15:02 PM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago
£40k fines each for ‘this that and the other’ + prison sentences. I’d suffer less for murder – now there’s a good idea!!!
Tiger
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Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 129
15:16 PM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago
It is really the councils and social housing, as we all know Lambeth council gave all their tenants S21 notice. The people who wish to spread such news need to be more specific. Are they being lazy?
What happened to our country being democratic and we can invest in property and rent it to people who abide by the tenancy agreement, otherwise they can leave. Tenants need to be trained or given free courses, even if online how to behave like a tenant, their responsibilities and liabilities so they can stay and make it their home.
We are moving from democracy to treat landlords and their properties like stepping stones and make them inhabitable, trash it, no respect as could not care less. Go on to next property as the law is on their side.
Government is showing the way to trash properties, no sense of responsibility at all. The future is not for private landlords. Sell, sell and sell if possible I. This market.
There are companies like we buy any property and property 118 and believe they can knock it down 30% by their wonderful negotiation abilities.
Suspicious Steve
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Member Since May 2025 - Comments: 52
15:44 PM, 11th September 2025, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 11/09/2025 – 15:02Yep. Very true. I wrote this blog 1 year ago to the day about how many fines and criminal records you can clock up being a landlord….Shocking to re-read it.
https://think-we-are-stupid.blogspot.com/2024/09/rayners-attack-on-landlords-time-to.html
allen lagnado
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Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 8
13:09 PM, 14th September 2025, About 3 months ago
i have 2 hmo properties run by manager we had normal rent to rent nrla contracts he now tell sme its better to have contract with his company as if i decide to sell with nrla contract he can give me keys and leave me with tenants which i would have to remove taking year maybe he said if its a company contract i would say you have to leave company and others that means all tenants would also have to leave do you think its right