Government data shows the time taken for landlords to evict tenants has increased.
Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that landlords waited 24.5 weeks from claim to repossession up from 23 weeks when compared with last year.
These increased delays will put pressure on the Government to better fund the courts system, where most of the delays landlords encounter occur when evicting.
Another reason for the delays is that bailiffs have been unable to complete evictions due to a shortage of personal protection equipment.
The courts are also dealing with an increase in the number of landlords using them to evict tenants – although Government officials say the number of cases are now back up to their 2019, pre-pandemic levels.
The data shows that compared to the same quarter in 2023 there were increases in:
- landlord possession claims from 24,922 to 25,418 (2%)
- orders from 17,987 to 19,254 (+7%)
- warrants from 10,044 to 11,763 (+17%)
- repossessions from 6,167 to 6,942 (+13%).
Claims are the first step of an eviction process, orders are when a judge grants permission for an eviction and warrants are the document given to bailiffs allowing them to carry out a repossession.
Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, says: “The abolition of Section 21, which currently allows landlords to repossess properties without specific grounds, is expected to increase pressures on the already overburdened court system.”
Shamplina is urging landlords to act quickly while Section 21 remains available, and to consult closely with letting agents to ensure compliance and proper legal representation.
He adds “These delays are only likely to worsen, particularly once grounds for possession become more restricted.”