Landlords can apply for an accelerated possession order if the tenants have not left by the date specified in a Section 21 notice.

The latest data published by the Ministry of Justice showed 32,287 claims had been issued to households under the accelerated procedure in 2024. Last year’s figure was up by 7% from 30,230 in 2023.

The figures also showed there were 2,947 evictions by bailiffs following a Section 21 notice – known as a no-fault eviction – between October and December last year.

This was an increase of 10% from 2,671 for the same three-month period in 2023.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, has promised a ban on no-fault evictions.

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Sarah Taylor, property dispute resolution partner at Excello Law has called on the government to avoid delays to the new legislation and said, “There have been reports of the year on year rise in no-fault evictions. We have seen that the uncertainty over the changes to the legislation has led to a number of landlords choosing to either leave the rental market or to obtain vacant possession of their property whilst they wait to see what happens when the new legislation comes into force.

“As the Renter’s Rights Bill makes its way through Parliament, landlords are waiting to see what the consequences will be and whether it will result in additional costs for them. Some are unwilling to wait and instead choosing to leave the market. Meanwhile, tenants are on the receiving end of this uncertainty as landlords serve notice on them to recover possession and evict them from their homes. It is important for the housing market that the bill becomes law soon to give certainty to both landlords and tenants.

“Meanwhile, we are seeing an increase in the build to rent market and will wait to see if an increased investment in rental properties by institutional landlords will provide quality rental properties for families which also offer security of tenure when the new legislation comes into force. Affordability may however continue to be an issue for many tenants.”