The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a stark admonition to the Government, accusing it of failing to confront the dismal realities plaguing the court system in the wake of the impending abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

According to data released by the Ministry of Justice, landlords seeking to reclaim possession of their properties via legal channels faced an average wait exceeding seven months in the first quarter of 2025. This marks a deterioration from the same period the previous year, with the average time escalating from 29.8 weeks to 32.5 weeks—an upward drift that underscores systemic inertia.

Despite ministerial assurances that the judiciary will be adequately prepared to manage the caseloads brought on by the Renters’ Rights Bill, the NRLA emphatically disputes this optimism. With Section 21 on its way out, landlords will be wholly dependent on the efficiency of the courts to handle possession claims—an unsettling prospect given current delays.

In a recent Committee Stage discussion on the Renters’ Rights Bill in the House of Lords, Housing Minister Baroness Taylor asserted that possession proceedings typically take eight weeks. However, the NRLA swiftly clarified that this timeframe merely encompasses the interval between filing a claim and receiving a possession order.

Crucially, it excludes the full duration required to actually regain control of the property—often stretching beyond six months.

The association’s concerns are not unfounded. Findings from its Autumn 2024 survey, which gathered responses from over 1,400 landlords, reveal that an overwhelming 96% harbour minimal to no confidence in the court system’s capacity to handle the increased burden once the Bill becomes law.

In response, the NRLA has demanded that the Government articulate a transparent and comprehensive strategy for overhauling the courts. Such a plan, they argue, should encompass explicit benchmarks for "court readiness," dedicated funding to expedite case processing, and routine public reporting on judicial performance metrics.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive Officer of the NRLA, was unequivocal in his criticism: “Ministers are either unaware of the true state of the courts or are refusing to admit it. Their claims that the courts will be ‘ready’ for the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill simply do not stack up. Seven months is an eternity for responsible landlords who may be dealing with serious rent arrears and for neighbours having to endure anti-social behaviour.”

In a further rebuke, Beadle added: “The government must stop burying its head in the sand and commit to a fully funded, detailed and deliverable plan to ensure the courts are fit for purpose. Without this, landlord confidence will continue to erode, undermining investment in supplying the rental homes that tenants desperately need.”

In summary, while legislative reforms press forward, the operational machinery required to enforce them appears distressingly unprepared—leaving landlords, tenants, and communities suspended in a climate of uncertainty and delayed justice.