The federal government is being urged to incorporate funding within the civil court docket system in November’s Funds forward of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, with a few of the largest adjustments to the non-public rented sector on account of take impact on 1 Could 2026.
The decision comes from property expertise agency Reapit, as new Ministry of Justice figures present that the median time for landlords to progress from declare to repossession has risen to 27.4 weeks, up from 24.4 weeks a 12 months earlier. This implies landlords at the moment are ready greater than six months on common to get well possession of their properties. The variety of repossessions has additionally elevated by 9% over the previous 12 months.
With the Renters’ Rights Act set to deliver essentially the most vital reforms to the rental market in a long time — together with the abolition of Part 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions — Reapit warns that with out pressing motion to develop court docket capability, delays are prone to worsen. The corporate cautions that prolonged timelines might create uncertainty for landlords and doubtlessly deter continued funding within the non-public rented sector.
From Could 2026, evictions will solely be permitted the place a tenant has breached a floor underneath Part 8 of the Housing Act 1988 or underneath the brand new provisions launched by the Renters’ Rights Act. Every of those instances should be offered and confirmed earlier than a court docket, additional rising the stress on the already overstretched system.
Dr Neil Cobbold, industrial director at Reapit, stated: “Brokers are on the entrance line of those reforms, however the perfect brokers are already being proactive in defending their landlords by avoiding evictions.
“One of many largest causes of evictions are tenant arrears, and managing that threat begins with tenant vetting, clear automated consumer accounting and arrears chasing, and having the time to construct relationships with tenants, so that they know who to show to if they’ve points paying the lease.
“But when these measures fail and an eviction is critical, we want speedy motion from the federal government to deal with worsening court docket delays. When landlords can not regain possession shortly, it creates monetary pressure and reduces their confidence within the rental market. Longer timelines additionally have an effect on tenants who could also be caught in unsuitable conditions.
“With the Renters’ Rights Act being carried out from Could subsequent 12 months, we’ll see extra eviction instances in court docket as Part 21 will not be an choice. Brokers, landlords and tenants want confidence that the system can deal with this, which requires pressing funding in court docket capability.”
