Landlord repossessions have surged across England and Wales over the past year, coming just before the Renters’ Rights Bill is set to take effect, which will remove Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.
Research by Dwelly, a company specialising in lettings agency acquisitions, revealed that repossessions rose by 6.8% nationally compared with the year before, with some areas seeing far more dramatic increases.
Thurrock recorded the sharpest rise, with cases soaring by 2,540%, while Basildon followed with an 889% increase and Castle Point saw a 183% jump.
Other areas, such as Welwyn Hatfield (165%) and Horsham (150%), also ranked among the locations with the steepest year-on-year growth in landlord repossessions.
Landlords take control of their assets
Sam Humphreys from the firm explained that while the scrapping of Section 21 forms a central part of the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, it also risks taking away an important protection for landlords. He noted that the noticeable rise in repossessions suggests many landlords are already taking steps to safeguard themselves before the changes take effect.
He clarified that this trend should not be seen as landlords simply quitting the market or evicting tenants unnecessarily. Instead, it reflects their attempt to maintain control of their properties while current rules still allow them to do so.
Humphreys also warned that the private rental sector plays a crucial role in meeting housing demand. If the new Bill makes it more difficult for landlords to manage their properties effectively, it could have the unintended effect of further shrinking rental supply at a time when demand is at record highs.
Regional repossession differences
The latest data on landlord repossessions has revealed sharp regional differences across England and Wales, painting a mixed picture of how property owners are responding ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill. While some areas are witnessing steep increases, others are experiencing notable declines.
The East of England topped the table with the biggest surge, where repossessions rose by 22.8% compared to the previous year. This marks the largest regional increase, showing how landlords in this area are taking strong action before the law changes.
London, however, reported the highest overall number of cases. With 7,953 repossessions recorded, the capital also saw a 19.5% rise year-on-year. This suggests that landlords in the city, already under pressure from high demand and costly market conditions, are choosing to act now while current processes remain available.
In the West Midlands, repossessions also climbed significantly, with a 13.4% increase recorded. While not as dramatic as some other regions, the upward trend still reflects a proactive approach by landlords who are concerned about the impending loss of Section 21 powers.
Other parts of the country, such as the North East, East Midlands, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber, saw smaller increases. These rises were more modest compared to the sharp jumps in places like the East of England and London, but they still underline a consistent pattern of landlords taking measures in anticipation of legal reforms.
Interestingly, not all regions followed this upward trend. In fact, three areas bucked the national picture with declines in repossessions. Wales recorded the largest fall, with cases down by 33.8%. This significant drop stands out in stark contrast to the increases seen elsewhere.
The South East also reported a notable reduction, with repossessions falling by 12.3%. Despite being one of the most expensive regions in the UK for property, landlords here appear to be holding steady for the time being rather than moving quickly to repossess homes.
The South West joined this downward trend, though the decline was smaller at 3.9%. Even so, the decrease highlights that landlords’ responses to the upcoming reforms vary greatly depending on regional dynamics.
According to Dwelly, the firm that carried out the analysis, these figures reflect a growing determination among many landlords to act decisively before the new legislation comes into force. With Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions set to be abolished, repossessions may represent one of the last opportunities for property owners to maintain control under the current system.
The data suggests that landlords are not necessarily seeking to leave the market, but rather are making strategic choices to protect their assets. This is particularly the case in areas where tenant demand is strong, and uncertainty about how the new system will operate remains high.
London’s high figures highlight how pressures are particularly intense in the capital. With rents already among the highest in the country and demand far outstripping supply, landlords there may be moving more aggressively to secure their positions before additional restrictions take effect.
By contrast, regions that have seen declines, such as Wales and the South East, may represent areas where landlords are taking a more cautious approach. They may be waiting for clearer guidance on how the Renters’ Rights Bill will be implemented before making decisions.
What is clear across the board, however, is that the rental market is entering a period of considerable change. The looming end of Section 21 means that both landlords and tenants are facing a major shift in how tenancies will be managed in the future.
For landlords, this is a critical moment to consider how best to adapt. Those who are acting now are doing so out of a desire to safeguard their investments before the rules change. For tenants, the figures highlight the ongoing uncertainty that comes with living in a market where availability is already stretched.
Ultimately, the regional data shows that while some areas are already feeling the effects of landlords’ decisions, others may yet see similar trends as the Bill progresses. With no confirmed timeline for implementation, landlords are making moves based on caution and speculation, shaping very different outcomes across the country.
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