Government Declines Petition for Faster Evictions and Tenant Database

A recent petition urging the UK government to introduce a faster eviction process and establish a tenant database has been formally rejected. The petition, which gained over 15,000 signatures, sought changes to improve landlords’ ability to regain possession of their properties more swiftly and to create a registered database of tenants evicted through the courts.

In response, the government stated it does not support these proposals, emphasising that the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act (RRA), effective from 1 May 2026, will provide landlords with adequate possession grounds and protections.

Petition Proposals and Government Response

The petition called for three main changes: a six-week expedited court process for possession claims based on mandatory grounds such as rent arrears and anti-social behaviour; the creation of a registered landlord database of court-evicted tenants; and an increase in the tenancy deposit cap to cover severe property damage.

However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government rejected all three proposals. It stated: “The government has no plans to introduce an expedited court possession process for mandatory possession grounds, a tenant vetting database, or to raise the cap on tenancy deposits.”

The government also highlighted the value of responsible landlords, recognising their role in providing quality homes and the necessity of robust possession grounds when repossession is justified.

Implications of the Renters’ Rights Act for Landlords

The Renters’ Rights Act will introduce a new tenancy framework that clarifies and expands the grounds on which landlords can regain possession. These grounds include situations where tenants commit anti-social behaviour, cause property damage, or fall into significant rent arrears.

The government emphasised that while landlords and tenants are encouraged to resolve issues collaboratively, the possession grounds under the RRA are sufficient to take legal action when necessary.

Regarding the eviction process timeline, the government noted that the median average time from a landlord’s claim to a possession order being issued currently stands at 7.3 weeks, which is within the HM Courts and Tribunal Service’s target of 8 weeks. Furthermore, only 28% of possession claims in 2024 required enforcement by bailiffs, indicating that most cases resolve in under 27 weeks.

Maintaining Tenant Protections During Possession Proceedings

The government stressed the importance of tenant protections within the possession process, such as allowing tenants time to seek legal advice and providing reasonable notice before eviction. It argued that a shorter, expedited eviction process would not allow sufficient time for these safeguards.

“Safeguarding these tenant protections within the RRA is a key aspect of the Government’s approach to ensuring landlords can reclaim their property when necessary, while ensuring tenants can challenge unfair evictions,” the response stated.

Rejection of a Tenant Database for Evicted Tenants

While the Renters’ Rights Act will require landlords to register their properties on a database accessible to tenants, the government rejected the petition’s proposal for a tenant database listing court-evicted tenants.

The government explained: “We do not believe that it is proportionate to create a database for tenants who have previously been evicted by a bailiff following a court possession order.”

It noted that private landlords and letting agents already have access to various tools to obtain tenant references, including checks on rent arrears and credit history, which they can use when deciding whether to let a property.

Previously, the government hinted at potentially combining the registration process for the private rented sector database and the Ombudsman scheme but has not confirmed whether landlords will face separate fees for each.

What This Means for UK Landlords

Landlords should prepare for the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act in May 2026, which will provide clearer grounds for possession and maintain a possession process that balances landlord rights with tenant protections. The rejection of the petition means no immediate changes to eviction timelines or the introduction of a tenant eviction database are forthcoming.

Landlords are advised to continue using existing referencing tools and to engage constructively with tenants to resolve issues where possible. The current court possession process remains the legal route for repossession, with timelines generally within government targets.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Renters’ Rights Act
• possession grounds
• tenant database
• eviction process
• tenancy deposit cap
• court possession order
• landlord possession claims
• anti-social behaviour
• rent arrears
• HM Courts and Tribunal Service
• landlord tenant references
• private rented sector database

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/