Landlords across England and Wales are facing significantly longer waits to regain possession of their properties.
Recent figures indicate that the average timeline for repossession has increased by 9% over the past year, rising to nearly 25 weeks.
This trend coincides with a steady rise in repossession volumes, reflecting growing pressures in the private rented sector.
Legal For Landlords notes that while the total number of possession cases has increased only modestly, the time required to complete each case has risen sharply.
Over the past four quarters, landlords reported an average of 7,099 possessions per quarter, compared with 6,799 during the same period in the previous year.
The average duration from submitting a possession claim to completing the repossession increased by 9.1%, moving from 24.4 weeks to 26.6 weeks.
Breaking this down further, the time from claim submission to the issuing of an order grew by 0.4%, while the interval between claim and warrant issuance rose by 2.9%.
Looking at the longer-term trends, it is evident that annual repossessions are approaching levels last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, landlords across England and Wales carried out 30,319 repossessions.
This figure dropped dramatically to just 7,327 in 2020, as courts restricted activity during pandemic-related lockdowns.
Since then, repossessions have steadily increased year on year, reaching 27,582 in 2024.
Data from the first three quarters of 2025 alone shows 21,441 repossessions, signalling continued pressure on landlords and the court system.
Although these numbers remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, the upward trend highlights the growing challenges landlords face in reclaiming their properties.
This increase in possession delays comes at a time when major legislative changes are on the horizon, most notably the planned abolition of Section 21 evictions under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Legal For Landlords warns that the removal of Section 21 is likely to complicate possession claims and add additional strain to an already overstretched court system.
The extended timelines and higher caseloads mean landlords will need to plan more carefully when seeking possession of a property.
Many landlords are now considering early legal advice and closer engagement with tenants to minimise delays and ensure compliance with evolving legislation.
Some industry experts predict that possession delays could rise even further as the private rented sector adjusts to the new legal framework.
For landlords, the combination of rising repossessions and longer processing times highlights the importance of staying informed about changes in tenancy law.
Proactive communication, accurate record-keeping, and understanding the legal process will be key for landlords aiming to manage these delays effectively.
Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, emphasises that clear guidance and early engagement with tenants can help mitigate the impact of these delays.
As the sector prepares for the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords must also consider the wider implications on their portfolios and financial planning.
The current situation underlines the need for landlords to balance tenant rights with their own legal protections in a shifting rental market.
Overall, while repossession delays are becoming more pronounced, proper planning and legal awareness can help landlords navigate the challenges successfully.
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