NRLA highlights risk of court delays under Renters’ Rights Act

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a warning that the Renters’ Rights Act, due to come into force in three months, could overwhelm the UK court system. In a letter to the Justice Select Committee, NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle emphasised that landlords are already facing lengthy waits for court hearings to regain possession of their properties, with average delays now exceeding 34 weeks under the Section 8 grounds-based possession process.

This delay represents the longest wait in four years, highlighting the strain on court capacity. The NRLA is urging the government to provide clarity on how it plans to prepare courts for the increased caseload expected once the Act abolishes Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, which is anticipated to result in more contested possession cases.

Uncertainty over government’s definition of court readiness

Ben Beadle points out that while the government has stressed the importance of “court readiness” for the successful operation of the new system, it has yet to define what this entails. Without a clear definition, it remains unclear how the planned digitisation of possession claims will function or how its success will be measured.

He noted: “More broadly, whilst the Master of the Rolls has indicated that the ‘first iteration’ of the new digital platform to process possession cases is expected to be released in late Spring 2026, it remains unclear what this will look and feel like in practice for tenants and landlords, or the extent to which it will speed up the processing of legitimate possession claims.”

This lack of detail leaves landlords and agents uncertain about how possession claims will be handled in the future and whether the new system will alleviate current delays or exacerbate them.

Concerns over tribunal data and government’s contradictory messaging

The NRLA also criticised the government for sending contradictory messages regarding the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber’s capacity to handle rent appeal cases. While ministers have stated they would intervene if the Tribunal becomes overwhelmed, they simultaneously admit to lacking basic data needed to assess current caseloads or define what ‘overwhelmed’ means in this context.

Ben Beadle explained: “In response to a recent written question from Lord Carter of Haslemere (HL10508), the Minister reaffirmed that the government would use the proposed safeguard in the Act ‘if the Tribunal appears at risk of being overwhelmed by a sharp increase in challenges’ and that this would be subject to the affirmative procedure. However, in reply to a related written question (HL10509), the Justice Minister, Baroness Levitt, stated that HM Courts & Tribunals Service does not hold data on the average time for the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber to consider, process and rule upon rent appeal cases, and that such data could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.”

This inconsistency raises concerns about the government’s ability to monitor tribunal workloads effectively and intervene when necessary, potentially leaving landlords and tenants in limbo during periods of high demand.

Implications for landlords and letting agents

For landlords and letting agents, these developments mean that the transition to the Renters’ Rights Act could bring increased uncertainty and delays in possession proceedings. Without clear government guidance and transparent data on court and tribunal readiness, landlords may face longer waits to regain possession of their properties, impacting rental income and property management.

The NRLA’s call for the Justice Select Committee to seek greater clarity aims to ensure that the courts and tribunals are adequately prepared to handle the expected rise in contested cases, and that digital systems introduced will deliver tangible improvements.

Next steps and ongoing monitoring

With the Renters’ Rights Act implementation date approaching, it is crucial for landlords and agents to stay informed about any government updates on court readiness and digital case management platforms. Engaging with landlord associations such as the NRLA can provide valuable insights and advocacy on these issues.

The NRLA’s letter to the Justice Select Committee highlights the need for transparency and preparedness to avoid further strain on the justice system and to safeguard landlords’ rights within the evolving legal framework.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Renters’ Rights Act
• court delays
• Section 8 possession process
• abolition of Section 21
• digital possession claims
• First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber
• Justice Select Committee
• landlord possession claims
• Master of the Rolls
• court readiness

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/