Eviction hearings instigated by landlords and letting agents are up 16% compared to last year, analysis of government figures shows.

New stats from the Ministry of Justice on hearings in England show that 6,820 landlords started Section 21 proceedings between January and March this year.

A total of almost 61,000 no-fault eviction court proceedings have been initiated by landlords since the government first promised to ban Section 21 in 2019, according to findings from property software provider Veco.

The Renters (Reform) Bill, which will scrap Section 21 evictions, will require landlords and agents serve a notice to their tenant and then wait for the relevant county court to approve the eviction, issue a warrant, and book an eviction date.

Tribunals and county courts are overstretched, and current wait times for possession, in some cases, are 37 weeks from claim to possession, and it could be more than 12 months before a rent arrears case reaches court.

Desired outcome

Richard Murray, CEO of Veco, says: “It is vital that agents ensure they present the courts with a pack of succinct information that is clear and unambiguous to minimise further delays and secure the desired outcome.

No-fault eviction cases will require absolute ‘proof’ that the tenant is at fault.”

“It is likely that under the new rent reforms, no-fault eviction cases will require absolute ‘proof’ that the tenant is at fault,” he says.

Carly Jermyn, CEO and solicitor at Woodstock Law, says: “With the end of no-fault evictions on the horizon, landlords will need to prove the grounds they wish to rely on in court to gain possession.

“It’s no longer just about following a strict process. Tenants will have the opportunity to respond and will often have the support of well-trained advocates who can pick apart a weak or poorly presented case.”