Significant rise in Section 21 evictions with landlords ‘selling in droves’

There has been a notable rise in Section 21 evictions, according to the latest data published by the Ministry of Justice.

Landlords can apply for an accelerated possession order if the tenants have not left by the date specified in a Section 21 notice. The latest data published by the Ministry of Justice showed 32,287 claims had been issued to households under the accelerated procedure in 2024. Last year’s figure was up by 7% from 30,230 in 2023.

The figures also showed there were 2,947 evictions by bailiffs following a Section 21 notice between October and December last year. This was an increase of 10% from 2,671 for the same three-month period in 2023.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, has promised a ban Section 21 evictions.

Sarah Taylor, property dispute resolution partner at Excello Law has called on the government to avoid delays to the new legislation.

She said: “There have been reports of the year on year rise in no-fault evictions. We have seen that the uncertainty over the changes to the legislation has led to a number of landlords choosing to either leave the rental market or to obtain vacant possession of their property whilst they wait to see what happens when the new legislation comes into force.

“As the Renter’s Rights Bill makes its way through Parliament, landlords are waiting to see what the consequences will be and whether it will result in additional costs for them. Some are unwilling to wait and instead choosing to leave the market. Meanwhile, tenants are on the receiving end of this uncertainty as landlords serve notice on them to recover possession and evict them from their homes. It is important for the housing market that the bill becomes law soon to give certainty to both landlords and tenants.

“Meanwhile, we are seeing an increase in the build to rent market and will wait to see if an increased investment in rental properties by institutional landlords will provide quality rental properties for families which also offer security of tenure when the new legislation comes into force. Affordability may however continue to be an issue for many tenants.”

Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, has also reacted to the latest landlord possession figures released by the Ministry of Justice, warning that Section 21 claims will surge to their highest levels in 2025.

With landlords rushing to regain possession before the ban takes effect, court delays spiralling, and local authorities under immense pressure, Shamplina firmly believes that the rental sector is facing a crisis.

He commented: “The latest possession figures from the Ministry of Justice confirm what I’ve been warning about for years. With the Renters Rights Bill looming, many smaller landlords have panicked, knowing the Section 21 ban is coming, and have chosen to use it before they lose it.

“In Q4 of 2024, there was a sharp acceleration in possession claims, bringing the total for the year to 32,287 – the highest since 2016. Repossessions by county court bailiffs under Section 21 also reached their highest level since 2017, with 11,373 carried out in 2024 – up 20% from 9,457 in 2023. This directly correlates with the 20% increase in cases we’ve seen at Landlord Action, a consequence of landlords losing confidence in the sector and more landlords seeking possession before the system changes.

“History tells us that when major legislative changes are introduced, landlords react. We saw it with the Deregulation Act in 2015, and now, with a combination of Section 24 tax changes, rising interest rates, EPC regulations, and the uncertainty surrounding rental reforms, it’s simply too much for many smaller landlords.

“Landlords are selling in droves, and sadly, renters are the real losers. The knock-on effect is clear: a surge in Section 21 claims as landlords rush to secure possession before the rules change. Courts are already overwhelmed, and with no additional resources allocated, landlords are facing waits of up to 15 months for eviction dates. This is completely unacceptable.

“Had the previous government introduced dedicated Housing Courts, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Now, as we head into 2025, I predict Section 21 claims will hit their highest levels, particularly in the first six months. The fear among landlords is real.  Under new possession grounds, it will be even more difficult to reclaim properties.

Looking ahead, the situation will only worsen. Once the new law is in place, landlords looking to sell will need to wait a year and then serve a four-month notice under Ground 1A. This will add further strain on an already struggling court system, pushing local authorities to breaking point as more tenants are forced to stay put until eviction.

“The message is clear: landlords need certainty, tenants need security, and the government must act now to properly resource the courts before the system collapses under the weight of unprecedented demand,” he added.