Claims that landlords are rushing to evict tenants before the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect appear unfounded, with new data showing Section 21 possession claims have dropped to their lowest level in over three years.
The National Residential Landlords Association has released a briefing note citing government statistics that directly counter recent media narratives about a wave of no-fault evictions ahead of the 1 May deadline.
Possession claims at multi-year low
According to Ministry of Justice data, just 28,112 possession claims were brought to county courts in England during 2025 using the accelerated Section 21 procedure. This represents the lowest annual total since 2022.
The final quarter of 2025 – when the Renters’ Rights Act completed its passage through Parliament – saw only 6,367 Section 21 claims. This quarterly figure is also the lowest since Q4 2022, suggesting landlords are not accelerating eviction activity despite the approaching ban on no-fault notices.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s report that a third of landlords are selling properties rather than evicting tenants, with many choosing to exit the market through natural tenancy turnover rather than formal possession proceedings.
Homelessness data supports trend
The NRLA briefing also cites the government’s most recent homelessness statistics, which show a significant reduction in Section 21-related housing insecurity.
Between July and September 2025, the number of households threatened with homelessness due to Section 21 notices fell by 18.6 percent compared with the same period in 2024. This decline contradicts claims from tenant campaign groups that landlords are using the final months before the RRA to clear properties of unwanted tenants.
The data comes as landlords have called for improved possession systems under the new Section 8 grounds, arguing that lengthy court delays rather than Section 21 availability are the sector’s primary concern.
What this means for landlords
- If you’re considering serving Section 21: The deadline remains 1 May 2026 – notices served before this date remain valid even if court proceedings extend beyond it.
- Watch for: Any tenants approaching the end of fixed terms should be handled carefully, as new tenancies created after RRA implementation will immediately become periodic.
- Bottom line: The data suggests most landlords are adjusting to the new regime rather than pursuing mass evictions – focus should be on understanding the new Section 8 grounds.
Editor’s view
This data provides important context amid heated political rhetoric. While some landlords are undoubtedly serving Section 21 notices before they become unavailable, the numbers do not support claims of a coordinated rush to evict. The real challenge for landlords lies ahead – navigating an untested Section 8 system with court delays already at eight months.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 24 March 2026
Sources: NRLA, Ministry of Justice court statistics, MHCLG homelessness data
Related reading: Rent tribunal fee set at just £47 as landlords brace for challenge surge
📘 Renters’ Rights Act: Complete Landlord Guide
Everything you need to know about the new rules – 1 May 2026
