Navigating the legal landscape of landlord possession claims can be complex. In her latest insights, our experienced Head of Landlord and Tenant, Anna Hughes, explores the recent government statistics on landlord possession claims from January to March 2024. These insights compare the figures to the same quarter in 2023, providing valuable guidance for landlords.

Increase in Landlord Possession Claims

Recent data indicates a notable rise in landlord possession claims compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the number of claims increased from 23,389 to 24,874 (6%), orders from 17,644 to 18,154 (3%), warrants from 10,503 to 11,407 (9%), and repossessions from 6,501 to 6,864 (6%). This upward trend highlights the growing challenges landlords face in reclaiming their properties.

Accelerated Procedures on the Rise

Accelerated procedures have also seen significant increases across all action types: claims have risen by 7%, orders by 5%, warrants by 15%, and repossessions by 13% compared to the previous year. This underscores the importance of landlords staying informed and prepared for evolving legal requirements.

Court Timescales: Lengthening Process

The median average time from claim to landlord repossession has increased to 24.1 weeks, up from 22.4 weeks in the same period in 2023. This reflects ongoing challenges within the court system, affecting landlords seeking timely resolutions.

Breakdown of Timelines

The median time taken to complete landlord actions has increased for orders and warrants this quarter, following a general downward trend since Q3 2021. The current timescales are:

• Claims to Order: Median timeliness is currently 8.1 weeks, up from 7.7 weeks, an increase of 0.4 weeks from the same period in 2023.

• Claims to Warrant: Median timeliness has increased to 16.1 weeks, up from 15.3 weeks in the same period in 2023.

• Claims to Repossessions: Median timeliness has increased to 24.1 weeks, up from 22.4 weeks in the same period in 2023.

Regional Analysis: London Leads in Possession Claims

Possession claims have increased across all regions, with private and social landlord claims concentrated in London. The highest private landlord possession claim rates were found in London, with Barking and Dagenham leading at 844 per 100,000 households owned by a private landlord.

Private Landlord Repossessions by Region

From January to March 2024, the regions with the highest private landlord repossessions per 100,000 households owned by a private landlord are:

Burnley: 196 per 100,000 households

Newham: 173 per 100,000 households

Bexley: 171 per 100,000 households

Bailiff Actions

London local authorities account for 5 of the 10 boroughs with the highest rate of private landlord repossessions. Burnley, Newham, and Bexley lead in private landlord repossessions, reflecting the concentration of eviction activities in these areas.

Challenges with Court Delays

Court delays can be incredibly frustrating for landlords who have already waited many months for a possession date. The Civil Procedure Rules state that a possession claim won’t be less than 28 days from the issue of the claim form and no more than 8 weeks. However, as shown in the statistics, landlords can sometimes be waiting longer.

Abolition of Section 21 Notices

With the abolition of Section 21 Notices, there are concerns about how the court system will manage the additional pressure. All accelerated claims will now require a hearing, adding further strain to an already overburdened court system. The Labour Government has not committed to addressing the backlog of possession claims or speeding up the eviction process. Instead, the focus remains on scrapping Section 21 Notices as quickly as possible.

Importance of Quality Legal Advice

In light of the delays, landlords must seek quality and timely advice to ensure their claims proceed swiftly through the court system. Any mistakes with paperwork or lack of evidence to support the grounds for possession could prove very costly and create significant delays.

Specialist Advice for Landlords from Woodstock Legal Services

For expert legal advice, landlords can rely on the experienced award-winning Landlord & Tenant team at Woodstock Legal Services. Contact Anna Hughes, Head of our award-winning Landlord & Tenant Team, by emailing a.hughes@woodstocklegalservices.co.uk or completing the form below for comprehensive support.