Landlord possession claims fell nearly 8% in 2025, defying predictions that the Renters’ Rights Act would trigger a rush of evictions before the new rules take effect.
Data analysed by property inventory specialist Inventory Base shows the total number of possession claims issued last year was 91,093, down from 98,766 in 2024. The drop surprised many in the sector who expected landlords to move quickly once the legislation’s passage looked certain.
Quarterly claims also decline
The slowdown was consistent throughout the year. Average quarterly claims fell from 24,692 in 2024 to 22,773 in 2025, continuing a pattern that began in 2023 when the figure stood at 23,553.
However, the apparent calm may be temporary. The Renters’ Rights Bill did not receive Royal Assent until October 2025, meaning landlords spent most of the year uncertain whether the legislation would pass or what final form it would take. That uncertainty appears to have delayed many decisions.
Siân Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said: “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.”
With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force on 1 May, the window for using Section 21 notices is closing fast. Courts are already under strain, with possession delays hitting 27 weeks in some regions, making timing critical for landlords seeking to regain properties before the rules change.
Letting agents face operational pressure
Once Section 21 is abolished, landlords will need to rely on Section 8 grounds to end tenancies, requiring stronger evidence of breaches or legitimate reasons for possession.
Hemming-Metcalfe warned that robust property documentation will become essential. “Regular, consistent inspections and detailed inventories and risk assessments give agents and landlords the documentation they need to act decisively, protect the asset, and demonstrate compliance,” she said.
She added that agents with the strongest compliance processes would be best placed to protect their clients and their own businesses in the post-Section 21 environment.
The data suggests the real test is still to come. If landlords have been holding off, the next two months could see a wave of last-minute possession activity before the May deadline.
Opinion
The numbers tell a story of hesitation rather than panic. Landlords have waited for clarity, and now they have it. Whether that triggers the predicted eviction surge or a more measured adjustment will depend on how many were genuinely waiting versus how many have already decided to stay in the market. Either way, the courts are about to find out just how ready they are for what comes next.
