Landlord activity rose sharply in March as property owners moved ahead of upcoming rental reforms, with new data showing a significant increase in both enquiries and possession instructions.
Figures from Landlord Action show possession instructions were up 60% compared with March last year, while enquiries increased by 75%. The jump represents the largest monthly rise recorded by tenant eviction specialists and comes as changes under the Renters’ Rights Act approach.
The data suggests many landlords are acting before the reforms take effect. With concerns about reduced flexibility and longer possession processes, some are choosing to serve notice now rather than wait. As a result, decisions that might have been delayed are being brought forward, affecting tenants earlier than expected.
March’s increase continues a trend seen since the start of the year. In the first quarter overall, possession instructions rose 32% year-on-year, while enquiries were up 23%.
Instructions are growing faster than enquiries, indicating a shift from landlords seeking information to taking action. Where some had previously held off, more are now proceeding with formal steps.
The figures also underline the sector’s continued reliance on Section 21 notices. Over the past year, these have made up the majority of possession cases handled by Landlord Action each month. In March, Section 21 notices were used at nearly three times the rate of Section 8, with Section 21 instructions rising 43% year-on-year in the first quarter.
Once Section 21 is removed, many of these cases are expected to move through the Section 8 process, requiring court involvement where it was not previously needed.
This shift points to potential pressure on the court system. Even if only some cases transition, the increase in claims could add to existing backlogs.
In practice, processes that are currently administrative are likely to become court-based, with longer timelines and greater uncertainty for both landlords and tenants.
Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, said: “This is exactly what we said would happen. As Section 21 is phased out, landlords are acting now while they still have certainty, because many are not confident in what replaces it.
“From the conversations I have been having with landlords across the country, there is still a great deal of confusion about how possession will work in practice, alongside growing concern about compliance, court delays, rent arrears and rising mortgage costs. That combination is pushing landlords into making decisions earlier than they otherwise would.
“Some landlords are choosing to exit the sector altogether, while others are regaining possession now rather than risk being unable to do so later. While possession activity will inevitably slow once these changes come into force, much of the damage will already have been done. Good landlords leaving the market and tenants losing homes in circumstances where, previously, no action would have been taken.”
Renters’ Rights Act not primary cause of evictions, tenants report
