Landlord possession claims dropped by almost 8% in 2025 despite expectations that owners would rush to regain properties ahead of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.
New analysis from Inventory Base shows that 91,093 possession claims were issued in 2025, down 7.8% from 98,766 in 2024.
The average number of claims per quarter also fell to 22,773 in 2025, compared with 24,692 in 2024 and 23,553 in 2023.
The Act, which comes into force on 1 May 2026, will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and introduce sweeping reforms aimed at improving tenant security. While many had anticipated a surge in claims during 2025, the data suggests landlords largely held back.
SCRAPPING SECTION 21
Inventory Base points out that the legislation did not receive Royal Assent until 27 October 2025. Until then, landlords lacked certainty over the final form of the law, potentially delaying possession decisions until greater clarity was available.
However, the picture could change rapidly in early 2026. With Section 21 due to be scrapped, there are growing expectations that landlords may accelerate possession claims in the months before implementation, creating a spike in case volumes for agents and the courts.
INCREASED SCRUTINY
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, says: “As the implementation date approaches, we may see an uptick in repossessions, but this isn’t only a landlord issue.
“Letting agents will be the ones managing the operational reality: increased scrutiny, more disputes, and far greater reliance on inspection evidence.
“The key is preparation: regular, consistent inspections and detailed inventories and risk assessments, like HHSRS, give agents and landlords the documentation they need to act decisively, protect the asset, and demonstrate compliance.”
LONGER TENANCY BENEFITS
She adds: “When tenants feel safe and settled, they are far more likely to stay long term. Longer tenancies reduce churn, minimise costly void periods, and cut the expense of repeated marketing and onboarding.
“Under the Renters’ Rights Act, robust reporting will no longer be optional – it will be the backbone of any successful Section 8 case, and a critical safeguard against escalating risk.
“As the sector moves into a post-Section 21 environment, the agents with the strongest compliance processes and the best property evidence will be the ones best placed to protect landlords, tenants, and their own businesses.”
