Landlord possession instructions soar ahead of summer deadline

Landlord possession instructions jumped a massive 28% ahead of the summer Section 21 deadline last week, it has been revealed.

Landlord Action says the total number of instructions from landlords to repossess properties rose by this significant amount in just one year.

Almost a third of these instructions were as a result of progressing Section 21 cases before the final 31st July court deadline.

Renters’ Rights Act

Under the transitional arrangements following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords who had served a valid Section 21 notice before 1st May 2026 had until 31st July – or the earlier expiry date of the notice – to begin possession proceedings.

Any landlord who failed to do so can no longer rely on that notice and must use one of the revised Section 8 grounds.

Landlords are reliant on a court system that is already understaffed, under-resourced and struggling with existing caseloads.”

Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, says: “The pressure created by the 31st July deadline was clear from the number of landlords contacting us throughout the month.

“Unfortunately, many landlords had left it until the final days to seek advice or progress a claim. Instructing a solicitor immediately before the deadline did not automatically mean a claim could be issued.

“Every case and every document had to be reviewed carefully because any error in the original notice or supporting paperwork could result in the claim being rejected.

Shamplina adds: “Meeting the deadline was only half the battle. Landlords rushed to get their claims issued in time, but they are now reliant on a court system that, in many areas, is already understaffed, under-resourced and struggling with existing caseloads.

New possession routes

“They now face a potentially lengthy wait for their claims to be processed, heard and, where necessary, enforced.”

Landlord Action’s figures also provide an early indication of how landlords are using the revised Section 8 possession grounds introduced from 1st May.

Among the new possession cases recorded in July, 39% involved rent-related grounds, including Grounds 8, 10 or 11.

Ground 1A, which allows a landlord to regain possession when they intend to sell, featured in 30% of cases, while Ground 1, used when a landlord or a member of their family intends to occupy the property, accounted for 8%.

A further 29% involved other grounds. Some cases relied on more than one ground.

Section 21

Shamplina explains: “It is still very early, but these figures begin to show how possession is changing following the abolition of Section 21.

“As expected, rent-related grounds are currently the most commonly used among the cases we are handling, while around three in 10 involve landlords seeking possession because they intend to sell.

“The new system is more evidence-led and landlords must be able to demonstrate that the ground they are relying on genuinely applies.

Selecting a ground is not simply a replacement for Section 21. Each one has its own conditions, notice requirements and evidential tests.

“We expect the picture to become clearer over the coming months as more cases move through the new process and, ultimately, reach the courts.”