Government Assures Court Preparedness for Renters’ Rights Act

The UK government has stated that county courts will have the necessary resources and capacity to manage the additional possession cases expected following the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act in May 2026. This announcement came in response to concerns about the potential impact of the new legislation on court workloads.

Labour MP Jake Richards, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, confirmed that the Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the justice system is ready. A key part of this preparation is the development of a new digital possession service designed to streamline the process for landlords and tenants alike.

Concerns Over Court Delays and Digital Process Clarity

Despite government assurances, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has expressed reservations. In a letter to the Justice Select Committee, NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle highlighted a lack of clarity regarding how courts will manage the new digital possession process. This uncertainty comes amid reports of record-long court waiting times.

Recent figures from Landlord Action reveal that landlords are currently experiencing the longest court delays in 20 years. Ministry of Justice data shows that, on average, it took over eight months for courts to process and enforce possession claims last year, far exceeding the government’s target of listing possession hearings within eight weeks of issue.

Importance of Tenant Access to Justice

Mr Richards emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring tenants have access to justice, stating: “It is important that a tenant has the opportunity to attend a possession hearing as this is vital for tenants’ access to justice, especially in the new tenancy system where landlords must always evidence that possession grounds have been met.”

He also noted that the Civil Procedure Rules set a target for possession hearings to be scheduled within eight weeks, which the government believes balances the rights of both tenants and landlords. However, the reality of current court backlogs suggests this target is not being met in practice.

What This Means for Landlords and Agents

For landlords and letting agents, the government’s commitment to enhancing court capacity and introducing a digital possession service signals an intention to modernise and improve the possession process. However, the existing backlog and delays highlight ongoing challenges in enforcing possession orders promptly.

Landlords should prepare for the new digital system and remain aware of the potential for continued delays in court proceedings. It is also crucial to maintain thorough evidence of compliance with possession grounds under the new tenancy framework to ensure cases proceed smoothly.

Looking Ahead

As the Renters’ Rights Act approaches, monitoring how courts adapt to the increased workload and digital processes will be essential. The government’s assurances provide some confidence, but the practical realities of court delays remain a significant concern for the private rented sector.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Renters’ Rights Act
• county court possession hearings
• digital possession service
• court delays for landlords
• possession claim processing times
• tenant access to justice
• Civil Procedure Rules
• National Residential Landlords Association
• court backlog in private rented sector
• landlord possession enforcement

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/