Lengthening court possession delays will see landlords leave the PRS

Landlords are waiting more than a year to regain possession of their properties as court delays continue to disrupt the private rented sector.

Propertymark points to recent data which shows possession cases are taking many months to conclude, with delays recorded at several stages of the legal process.

The findings reflect a pattern that agents say is leaving disputes unresolved for long periods.

Quarterly Court Watch data highlights the delay from an initial claim through to enforcement.

And, in some cases, landlords are losing thousands of pounds while awaiting hearings and bailiff action.

Court possession timelines

Propertymark said: “A functioning, efficient court system underpins the entire private rented sector.

“Without it, landlords face increased risk, tenants face prolonged uncertainty, and agents are left managing disputes that should be resolved far more quickly.”

The organisation’s own data shows a sharp rise in timelines.

It says the average duration from claim to repossession is now more than 68 weeks, compared with just over 20 weeks in 2019.

Rents arrears grow

That shift is being felt most acutely in cases involving rent arrears or property damage.

Proceedings that once moved within months are now extending well beyond a year.

Administrative backlogs, adjournments and delays in bailiff enforcement continue to feature across cases.

These issues, already present in previous years, are still evident in the latest figures.

More investment

A lack of investment in the courts has been identified as a central factor in the growing possession delays.

Without additional resources or reform, cases continue to queue while costs build for both landlords and tenants.

Propertymark says that at the point of eviction, average unpaid rent stands at £12,708 across England and Wales, rising to £19,223 in London.

It is now warning that sustained delays could influence landlords to leave the PRS.

Changes needed

The organisation has called for changes to the possession process with proposals which include increased court resourcing and the digitisation of claims.

It also wants the creation of a specialist Housing Tribunal, and an automatic right to transfer cases to High Court Enforcement Officers.

Propertymark said it has raised these issues at senior levels, including in the House of Lords, where court reform has been identified as a priority.