Landlord eviction claims rose 6% before new legislation
Original Article Summary
Landlord possession claims increased by 6% in the first quarter of 2026, immediately before the Renters' Rights Act came into effect on 1 May. The law firm's review of government data shows 22,733 possession claims were issued between January and March 2026. The post Landlord eviction claims rose 6% before new legislation appeared first on PropertyWire.
Investor Analysis
Possession claims rose 6% in Q1 2026 as landlords rushed to use Section 21 before the Renters' Rights Act abolished it on 1 May 2026, reversing a decline seen throughout 2025. The data confirms a deliberate strategic acceleration by landlords ahead of a permanent regulatory shift.
Investor Relevance
This article signals the end of the Section 21 era as a practical tool, requiring buy-to-let and PRS investors to fully reassess eviction risk, tenancy management strategy, and the financial viability of holdings where possession may now be harder to recover. Landlords who have not yet updated their approach to tenant selection, rent arrears management, and Section 8 grounds face increased operational and financial risk.
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