Courts need more investment ahead of new Renters’ Rights Act
12 Feb 2026
2 minutes read
News
The Law Society of England and Wales urges the UK government to further invest in the courts as private landlord repossessions continue to rise ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force in May*.
New quarterly statistics from the Ministry of Justice found that private landlord repossessions have increased by 3% compared with the same period last year**.
This rise comes months before Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions are abolished in England on 1 May 2026 and is expected to lead to an increase in the number of contested repossession cases.
London borough Barking and Dagenham recorded the highest number of private landlord repossession claims of 878 per 100,000 households***.
Law Society president, Mark Evans, said: “To ensure a level playing field between landlords and tenants and maintain confidence in the justice system, the government must ensure courts are properly funded to handle the expected rise in contested hearings.
“The end of ‘no fault’ evictions in England is one of the biggest changes in the private rented sector in decades. However, without appropriate funding, additional delays and backlogs in the courts will be unavoidable and will mean that justice will not be available to all.
“Next year’s data will ultimately show how the Renters’ Rights Act contributes to a fairer housing system, including how the abolition of Section 21 in England affects the overall repossession statistics. The courts must start getting ready now, not after the backlog starts growing even more.
“Although most of the provisions in the Renters’ Rights Act only apply to England, rising case volumes will impact the whole system. So, now is the perfect time to further invest across both the Welsh and English courts****.
“Safe and stable housing is a fundamental human right. The government must take prompt action to protect both tenants and landlords.”
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.