Landlord repossessions rose 6% ahead of Renters’ Rights Act
Landlord possession claims rose by almost 6% in the first quarter of 2026 as property owners moved to regain control of homes before the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May, according to analysis by LegalforLandlords.
LegalforLandlords analysed the latest repossession data* and found that during Q1 2026, a total of 22,733 possession claims were issued. This marks a quarterly increase of 5.9% compared to Q4 2025.
The figures reflect a clear attempt by landlords to regain possession before the Renters’ Rights Act removed Section 21 powers and introduced a new legal framework that many landlords fear will make repossession slower, more difficult and more uncertain moving forward.
This increase was driven by an 11.1% uptick in the number of private landlords issuing claims, while the number of claims from social landlords increased by 5%. Meanwhile, the number of accelerated repossession claims across both sectors rose by 1.7%.
The figures are particularly notable because they follow a prolonged period of falling possession activity throughout much of 2025. Accelerated possession claims had fallen by more than 10% in Q4 2025 alone, before reversing course in the opening quarter of 2026 as landlords approached the implementation deadline for the new legislation.
The data may represent the final wave of Section 21 related possession activity before the Renters’ Rights Act fundamentally reshapes the private rented sector.
Sim Sekhon, Group CEO at LegalforLandlords, commented:
“The timing of these increases is highly significant. Landlords knew the Renters’ Rights Act was coming into force on 1 May and many clearly decided to act before the legislation changed the possession process permanently. The sharp rise in private landlord claims strongly suggests many landlords accelerated possession proceedings while Section 21 was still available to them.
Many landlords have spent the last year working to understand what the new rules mean for their ability to manage risk, deal with arrears and recover possession when necessary. These figures suggest a significant number decided not to wait.
There continues to be a real concern within the sector that the reforms have reduced confidence among existing landlords and will go on to discourage future investment in rental housing at a time when supply is already under pressure.”
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