Eviction notice specialist Landlord Action has reported its busiest month in more than two years, with instructions from landlords up 62% year-on-year in September 2025.
The surge coincided with growing momentum behind the Renters Rights Act and increasing certainty that Section 21 would be phased out, prompting many landlords to take action under the existing system while they still could. There was significant growth in both Section 21 notices and combined Section 21 and Section 8 instructions as landlords sought clarity and control ahead of the upcoming reforms.
Landlord Action founder Paul Shamplina believes the increase reflects both landlords’ uncertainty about the new legal landscape and a desire to act before the new regime reshapes the possession process.
“Landlords have known the abolition of Section 21 was coming for years, but now that implementation is certain, many have been taking action to regain control before the new regime takes effect. For some, that means serving notice on properties they want to sell, or where there are arrears or ongoing issues, while they still can” states Shamplina.
Shamplina also warns that the current court system is woefully inadequate and unprepared for the transition away from Section 21.
The Ministry of Justice’s Q3 landlord possession statistics released last week reflect this. The average time from claim to repossession has now risen to 27.4 weeks, up from 24.4 weeks last year, highlighting the continuing strain on the courts.
Accelerated possession claims (section 21) continue to make up a substantial share of all landlord actions. Several London boroughs also recorded the highest claim and repossession rates in the country, with Barking and Dagenham topping the list for possession claims.
Shamplina comments: “We have had promises from both governments, but little has actually changed. In hindsight, if the idea of dedicated Housing Courts had been followed through back in 2020, and if Covid had not derailed everything, we would be in a much stronger position now. Confidence in the court system is at an all-time low, and that is a real concern as we transition away from Section 21.”
He expects this surge in instructions to continue in the next six months, as landlords seek advice and clarity ahead of the full implementation of the new law. The firm had always anticipated a rise in instructions as the legislation neared, but expects activity to stabilise and settle into a new norm once the new timeframes and processes are confirmed and fully in place.
Despite the uncertainty, Shamplina insists there is still room for optimism, and concludes: “Landlords who act professionally and keep their compliance and paperwork watertight will still be able to recover possession when they need to,” he says. “This is a big adjustment, but it certainly does not have to be a crisis. The key now is preparation, understanding, and adapting to the new rules before they come into force.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today