What Happened
Landlord possession claims in England and Wales saw a notable drop of 7.8% in 2025, according to research by Inventory Base. The number of claims issued fell from 98,766 in 2024 to 91,093 in 2025, marking a significant decline as the Renters’ Rights Act approaches its implementation date of 1 May 2025.
Why It Matters
The Renters’ Rights Act will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ repossession, shifting the focus of possession proceedings to fault-based grounds. This legislative change is expected to increase the evidential thresholds required for landlords to reclaim possession of their properties. Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, indicated that while claims have decreased, there may be an uptick in repossessions as the Act takes effect, impacting both landlords and letting agents.
What’s Next
As the implementation date nears, letting agents will face increased scrutiny and a higher likelihood of disputes, necessitating thorough inspections and detailed inventories. Hemming-Metcalfe emphasized that fostering a sense of security among tenants can lead to longer tenancies, thereby reducing turnover and associated costs for landlords. Additionally, any backlog of possession claims filed before the Act’s implementation will proceed under existing regulations, potentially leading to a surge in repossession cases shortly after the law changes.
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