I have been reviewing the latest Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data reports released this month. As we move closer to the abolition of Section 21 in May, there are some critical trends regarding court backlogs and possession timelines that I wanted to highlight for you.
Declining Claims, Increasing Delays: Although new landlord possession claims fell by 7.8% last year, court delays have reached a 20-year high.
Wait Times: Average time between claim being issued at court and repossession is 42 weeks (over 9.5 months), up 1 week from Q3 and almost a 4 week increase on the same time in 2024. This trend highlights a deepening backlog in the court system despite a reported decline in the total volume of new claims entering the system.
Enforcement Delays: The primary cause of the delay is the wait for a bailiff. The time between a warrant being issued and the actual repossession is now 18.6 weeks—a significant jump from the 15.9 weeks seen in late 2024.
Hearing Timelines: New Section 8 claims are currently being listed for hearings approximately three months after submission, compared to a previous average of two months.
Financial Risk: High Court Enforcement Officers Association reported in October 2025: The average rent loss at the point of eviction is now estimated at £12,708 nationally, rising to over £19,000 in London.
Just as a reminder, Goodlord’s Rent Protection policy covers rent until vacant possession on a nil excess basis, followed by up to 6 weeks at 90% whilst they re-let through you. This is alongside many other features and benefits.