Court Delays Paralyse Evictions Under New Renters’ Rights Act

The extended wait times stem from the new Renters’ Rights Act, which restricts eviction grounds and shifts some processes into the courts. This system change requires landlords to attend a court hearing if a tenant disputes an eviction, replacing the previous faster administrative process.

Key data illustrates the scale of the challenge. One tenant owes approximately £15,000 in unpaid rent and refuses to vacate the property. The median wait for landlords to repossess a property has increased from 16 weeks a decade ago to 26 weeks currently. Across the UK, the average rent loss per property exceeds £12,000, rising to more than £19,000 in London.

The reform aims to provide tenants with greater security by limiting rent increases and banning no-fault evictions. For landlords, the act intensifies financial pressure, with average losses per property exceeding £12,000 and complex legal hurdles replacing simpler administrative procedures. What to watch next is whether the recruitment of 1,000 judges and tribunal members can alleviate the backlog and restore balance to the system.