Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Guardian Property. Read the original article for full details.

England’s Housing Courts Overloaded Amid Surge in No-Fault Evictions

England’s housing courts are experiencing significant strain as a wave of no-fault evictions and landlords exiting the market drive more renters into homelessness. Lawyers report that courts are “overloaded” and tenants are struggling to find alternative accommodation, leading to lengthy delays in eviction proceedings.

At Stratford housing court, up to 29 cases are being heard in a single day, with waiting rooms at full capacity. Tenants facing section 21 no-fault evictions are seeking more time to secure housing, but are often granted limited extensions. In one case, a tenant with three children was granted 28 days to vacate, despite requesting the maximum 42 days, and faces potential homelessness by the end of the month.

Some eviction orders have been postponed due to out-of-date documentation, giving tenants additional time to find new homes. Meanwhile, landlords are requesting that cases be moved to the high court to expedite proceedings, as the wait for bailiffs in parts of London has reached seven months.

Lawyers cited a surge in last-minute section 21 evictions before the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, as well as an increase in landlords selling their properties. Official data showed a 16% rise in section 21 evictions between April and June this year compared to the same period in 2025. Property industry analysts estimate that 254,000 buy-to-let homes were listed for sale in the year to March 2026, a 28% increase on 2024. In London, former rental properties accounted for 30% of all new sales.

Lawyers also noted that while there has been discussion about the end of no-fault evictions, section 8 notices are now being used by landlords selling their properties, even when tenants are not at fault. The lack of affordable homes is causing tenants to delay eviction as long as possible, further contributing to court backlogs.

These developments are particularly relevant for letting agents and inventory clerks, as the increased volume of evictions and property sales is impacting tenancy management and property turnover across England.