Landlord possession instructions soar ahead of summer deadline
Summary
Landlord Action reports a 28% year-on-year rise in landlord possession instructions ahead of the 31 July transitional deadline linked to the Renters’ Rights Act. The article also notes early patterns in the use of the revised Section 8 grounds, with rent arrears grounds currently the most common and sale-related possession claims also significant.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may encounter increased landlord activity, more possession-related instructions and greater scrutiny of tenancy documentation as the new possession regime beds in. The shift away from Section 21 to evidence-led Section 8 grounds may also affect valuation assumptions, asset management advice and property condition disputes in the private rented sector.
Key points
- Possession instructions rose 28% year on year ahead of the summer deadline.
- Transitional arrangements allowed valid Section 21 notices served before 1 May 2026 to be acted on by 31 July.
- New possession cases in July were led by rent-related grounds, including Grounds 8, 10 and 11.
- Ground 1A, for landlords intending to sell, accounted for a substantial share of cases.
- The new regime requires landlords to meet evidential tests and specific notice requirements.
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