A parliamentary petition calling for changes to the Renters’ Rights Act has received a government response, more than a fortnight after surpassing the 10,000-signature threshold required for an official reply.
Since reaching that milestone on 10 February, the petition has gained just over 5,000 additional signatures, bringing the total to more than 15,000. If it eventually reaches 100,000 signatures, it would be considered for debate in Parliament.
Launched in late January by landlord Craig Littlejohn, the petition urges the government to introduce a six-week fast-track court process for Mandatory Grounds under Sections 8 and 7A (covering arrears and anti-social behaviour), establish a registered landlord database of tenants evicted through the courts, and raise the deposit cap to cover substantial property damage.
The campaign notes that the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act has left Section 8 as the main route for evicting problem tenants. Ministry of Justice data shows the average eviction now takes more than 27 weeks—over six months.
“We believe this delay [in the tenant eviction time] punishes law-abiding landlords via irrecoverable arrears and damage. We urgently need an expedited court process for mandatory grounds (ASB/arrears), a vetting database for repeat offenders, and a higher deposit cap to help sustain the rental market,” the petition stated.
Government response:
“Government does not support these proposals. From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act will ensure landlords can continue to gain possession when necessary, while offering more security to tenants.
“The government has no plans to introduce an expedited court possession process for mandatory possession grounds, a tenant vetting database, or to raise the cap on tenancy deposits.
“We value the contribution made by responsible landlords, who provide quality homes to their tenants and understand that landlords must have robust possession grounds where there is a good reason to take their property back.
“The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) will introduce a new tenancy system from 1 May 2026. These reforms will clarify and expand grounds for possession, allowing landlords to regain possession when necessary, for example to sell or move in. Where a tenant is at fault, landlords will be able to seek possession using relevant grounds, including where a tenant commits anti-social behaviour, is damaging the property, or falls into significant arrears. While we recommend landlords and tenants work together to address issues, these possession grounds are sufficient to take action when this is not possible.
“Most tenancies end amicably without the need for landlords to take possession action in the county court. However, the Government recognises that landlords need a smooth and efficient process when taking possession action if needed. Currently, the median average time from landlord claim to a possession order being issued is 7.3 weeks, below the HM Courts and Tribunal Service target of 8 weeks. Of those landlord possession claims issued in 2024, only a minority (28%) required enforcement by bailiffs, meaning that most cases take less than 27 weeks to resolve.
“The government considers it important that tenants have the opportunity to attend a possession hearing if they wish to challenge an eviction. Vital statutory protections for tenants are built into the possession process, such as time available before a hearing to seek legal advice and reasonable notice before an eviction date. Safeguarding these tenant protections within the RRA is a key aspect of the Government’s approach to ensuring landlords can reclaim their property when necessary, while ensuring tenants can challenge unfair evictions. A shorter ‘expedited’ process would not allow sufficient time for these protections.
“We are working closely with HM Courts and Tribunal Service to develop a new digital end-to-end service for resolving all possession claims in the County Courts in England and Wales. The service will offer an online route for making and responding to possession claims, filing documents, and receiving updates and outcomes, offering improved user experience through guided journeys.
“The government does not believe that it is proportionate to create a database for tenants who have previously been evicted by a bailiff following a court possession order. Private landlords and letting agents already have a range of tools available to them to obtain references from their tenants, and may consider various factors when deciding to let to a tenant, including previous or outstanding rent arrears and credit checks.
“With regards to increasing tenancy deposits, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 limits tenancy deposits to no more than five weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or six weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above. This is in addition to a refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than one week’s rent. We believe that this strikes the right balance between providing security for landlords and maintaining affordability for tenants.
“Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”
You can view the petition here.