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

Landlords Accelerate Possession Claims Ahead of Section 21 Deadline

Landlords increased possession proceedings in July to meet the final court deadline for Section 21 notices, according to new data from Landlord Action. The firm reported a 28% rise in instructions compared to the previous year, making July one of its busiest months in the past year.

Nearly one-third of all new instructions in July were from landlords filing court proceedings before the 31 July deadline. After this date, valid Section 21 notices could no longer be relied upon unless legal action had already started.

Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, said staff worked extended hours to handle the surge in enquiries. He noted that many landlords delayed seeking advice until the last days before the deadline, which created complications. Shamplina explained that instructing a solicitor immediately before the deadline did not guarantee a claim could be issued, as each case and document had to be carefully reviewed to avoid rejection due to errors.

The increase in claims has added pressure to the court system, which Shamplina described as understaffed and under-resourced in many areas. Landlords who met the deadline may now face lengthy delays for their claims to be processed and heard.

New Possession Grounds in Use

Landlord Action’s data also shows how landlords are using the revised Section 8 possession grounds introduced on 1 May. Of the new possession cases recorded in July, 39% involved rent-related grounds (Grounds 8, 10, or 11). Ground 1A, which allows landlords to regain possession if they intend to sell the property, was used in 30% of cases. Ground 1, for landlords or family members intending to occupy the property, accounted for 8%, while 29% involved other grounds. Some cases relied on multiple grounds.

The shift away from Section 21 comes as the UK rental market adjusts, with property transactions stabilising after earlier declines and house price growth slowing to 1.8% in July.

Implications for Letting Agents and Inventory Clerks

Shamplina emphasised that the new system requires landlords to provide more evidence to support their chosen possession ground. Each ground has its own conditions, notice requirements, and evidential tests. Landlords who missed the 31 July deadline can no longer use previous Section 21 notices and must assess whether a new possession ground applies to their situation.

Landlord Action expects further clarity in the coming months as more cases progress through the revised process and reach the courts.