Section 21 Possession Claims Decline to Multi-Year Low, Official Statistics Reveal
Recent speculation surrounding the Renters' Rights Bill has centered on concerns about potential increases in landlord-tenant disputes following the elimination of Section 21 no-fault evictions. However, newly released data from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) suggests these concerns may be overstated, with possession claim volumes trending downward rather than upward.
With the Renters' Rights Act set to take effect on 1 May, eliminating Section 21 evictions entirely, the NRLA has highlighted government statistics from 2025 revealing that Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England totaled just 28,112 for the year—the lowest figure recorded since 2022. The fourth quarter alone saw 6,367 claims filed, marking another multi-year low point for the same period.
Complementing this trend, homelessness data released by authorities shows that households facing homelessness due to Section 21 notices dropped by 18.6% in the July-September 2025 quarter compared to the corresponding period in 2024, suggesting the mechanism's declining utilization across the sector.
In recent days, authorities have released an official information document detailing critical tenancy modifications that property owners and letting agents are required to communicate to tenants no later than 31 May 2026.
The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 comprehensively addresses the abolition of Section 21 evictions, the transition to periodic tenancies, enhanced rent increase safeguards, and additional provisions introduced under the new framework. The document also clarifies tenant entitlements, including pet ownership rights. This standardized information will reach millions of renters throughout England in advance of the Act's 1 May implementation date.
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