Eviction Notices Surge as Landlords Race to Beat New Regime Deadline
Summary: Landlord Action has reported a 62% year-on-year increase in eviction notice instructions in September 2025, marking its busiest month in over two years. This surge is linked to landlords preparing for the upcoming changes under the Renters’ Rights Act, which will phase out Section 21 notices from May 2026.
Significant Rise in Eviction Notices
In September 2025, Landlord Action recorded a 62% increase in instructions from landlords to serve eviction notices compared to the same period last year. This represents the organisation’s busiest month in over two years and highlights a growing urgency among landlords to act before the legal landscape changes.
Impact of the Renters’ Rights Act
The surge in eviction notices coincides with increasing certainty around the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, which will fundamentally alter possession procedures in the private rented sector. The Act will phase out Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notices starting from 1st May 2026. New tenancies from this date will fall under a reformed Section 8 system, which requires landlords to rely on specific grounds for possession rather than no-fault evictions.
Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, explains that this legislative certainty has prompted landlords to take action now. “Many have been taking action to regain control before the new regime takes effect,” he says. “For some, that means serving notice on properties they want to sell, or where there are arrears or ongoing issues, while they still can.”
Market Pressures and Landlord Sentiment
Beyond legislative changes, broader market pressures are influencing landlord behaviour. Rising mortgage costs and tighter regulations have led many landlords to reconsider their portfolios. Shamplina notes, “We are seeing more landlords re-evaluating their position. For some, these changes are the final push to exit the sector altogether, especially where yields have been squeezed.”
Challenges Facing the Court System
Shamplina also highlights concerns about the readiness of the court system to handle the transition away from Section 21. The Ministry of Justice’s Q3 2025 landlord possession statistics show an increase in the average time from claim to repossession, rising to 27.4 weeks from 24.4 weeks the previous year. This delay underscores the strain on the courts and raises questions about how efficiently possession cases can be processed under the new regime.
“Confidence in the court system is at an all-time low, and that is a real concern as we transition away from Section 21,” Shamplina adds.
Looking Ahead
Landlord Action anticipates that the current surge in eviction instructions will continue over the next six months as landlords act ahead of the May 2026 deadline. However, it expects activity to stabilise and settle into a new normal once the new possession procedures and timeframes are fully established.
Implications for Landlords
Landlords should be aware of the significant changes coming with the Renters’ Rights Act and prepare accordingly. The phasing out of Section 21 notices means that possession processes will become more complex and potentially lengthier, requiring landlords to rely on specific grounds under Section 8. It is advisable to seek legal advice and review tenancy agreements to ensure compliance with the new rules.
Additionally, landlords should monitor court processing times and factor in potential delays when planning possession actions. Understanding these changes will be crucial to managing rental portfolios effectively in the evolving regulatory environment.
Related Resources
Written by Helen Gregory, property journalist with extensive experience covering landlord and tenant issues.
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Source: www.landlordzone.co.uk
The Landlord Association (TLA)