Recent data reveals a rise in no-fault evictions across England, with some landlords acting ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s implementation.
Under the proposed Bill, Section 21 evictions will be abolished, and landlords will be required to provide three months’ notice before evicting tenants due to arrears.
According to the Ministry of Justice, accelerated possession claims—filed once a Section 21 notice expires—rose to 32,287 in 2024, marking a 7% increase from 30,230 in the previous year.
Additionally, bailiff-enforced evictions following these notices saw a 10% rise, climbing from 2,671 in the last quarter of 2023 to 2,947 during the same period in 2024.
Landlords choosing to leave
Sarah Taylor, a property dispute resolution partner at Excello Law, noted that uncertainty surrounding the upcoming legislation has prompted some landlords to either exit the rental market or seek vacant possession of their properties. Many are choosing to act now rather than wait for the Renters’ Rights Bill to take effect.
As the Bill progresses through Parliament, landlords are closely watching for potential financial implications. Some are concerned about increased costs and regulatory changes, leading them to make preemptive decisions about their rental properties.
Taylor highlighted that tenants are bearing the brunt of this uncertainty, facing eviction notices as landlords move to regain possession. She emphasised the importance of passing the Bill into law soon, ensuring stability for both landlords and tenants in the housing market.
Private landlord claims
Recent figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal that London boroughs continue to lead in private landlord claims, with data from October to December 2024 highlighting a significant concentration in the capital.
Seven out of the ten areas with the highest claim rates are in London, with Waltham Forest recording the highest figure at 762 claims per 100,000 privately rented households. Newham follows with 537 claims, while Barking and Dagenham recorded 475.
Redbridge had the highest rate of private landlord repossessions, reaching 241 per 100,000 households. In contrast, four local authorities reported no claims at all, while North Devon had the lowest rate among those with claims, at just 11.3 per 100,000.
The process of repossession is also taking longer, with the average time from claim to repossession rising to 25 weeks, up from 23.6 weeks during the same period last year.
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