Research
The Renters' Rights Act tracker
Section 21 "no fault" evictions ended in England on 1 May 2026. This tracker follows what happens next in the county courts, quarter by quarter, and the Act's milestones still to come.
Last updated 17 October 2026
Section 21 abolished
1 May 2026
In England
Section 21 claims, Apr to Jun 2026
8,463
+31% on the quarter before
Standard (mostly Section 8) claims
7,377
+5% on a year earlier
Next court figures
12 November 2026
Covering July to September 2026
Where things stand. The latest court figures cover April to June 2026, the quarter Section 21 ended. They show the rush to file before the deadline, not the new system yet. The figures for July to September 2026, due on 12 November 2026, will be the first full quarter after the last day for Section 21 claims (31 July 2026).
Section 21 and standard claims, quarter by quarter
Possession claims by private landlords in England. Section 21 claims used the accelerated procedure; standard claims are mostly Section 8 (rent arrears and other grounds).
Private landlord possession claims in England, 2015 to 2026
Section 21 claims jumped to 8,463 in April to June 2026 as landlords filed before the deadline, and made up 53.4% of claims.
Show the data
| Quarter | Section 21 claims | Standard claims | Section 21 share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Q1 | 9,296 | 5,365 | 63.4% |
| 2015 Q2 | 9,848 | 4,885 | 66.8% |
| 2015 Q3 | 9,681 | 5,073 | 65.6% |
| 2015 Q4 | 8,867 | 4,712 | 65.3% |
| 2016 Q1 | 8,699 | 5,006 | 63.5% |
| 2016 Q2 | 9,330 | 4,960 | 65.3% |
| 2016 Q3 | 8,342 | 4,975 | 62.6% |
| 2016 Q4 | 7,151 | 4,737 | 60.2% |
| 2017 Q1 | 7,534 | 5,293 | 58.7% |
| 2017 Q2 | 7,712 | 5,167 | 59.9% |
| 2017 Q3 | 7,398 | 5,202 | 58.7% |
| 2017 Q4 | 6,181 | 5,066 | 55% |
| 2018 Q1 | 5,675 | 5,508 | 50.7% |
| 2018 Q2 | 5,979 | 5,807 | 50.7% |
| 2018 Q3 | 5,810 | 5,784 | 50.1% |
| 2018 Q4 | 5,063 | 5,527 | 47.8% |
| 2019 Q1 | 4,715 | 6,029 | 43.9% |
| 2019 Q2 | 4,850 | 5,862 | 45.3% |
| 2019 Q3 | 4,592 | 5,813 | 44.1% |
| 2019 Q4 | 4,166 | 5,512 | 43% |
| 2020 Q1 | 4,169 | 5,685 | 42.3% |
| 2020 Q2 | 861 | 1,276 | 40.3% |
| 2020 Q3 | 1,319 | 1,646 | 44.5% |
| 2020 Q4 | 2,392 | 3,543 | 40.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 954 | 2,766 | 25.6% |
| 2021 Q2 | 1,459 | 2,935 | 33.2% |
| 2021 Q3 | 2,037 | 4,254 | 32.4% |
| 2021 Q4 | 3,607 | 5,807 | 38.3% |
| 2022 Q1 | 5,889 | 6,313 | 48.3% |
| 2022 Q2 | 5,540 | 6,155 | 47.4% |
| 2022 Q3 | 6,093 | 6,535 | 48.2% |
| 2022 Q4 | 6,101 | 5,998 | 50.4% |
| 2023 Q1 | 6,817 | 7,027 | 49.2% |
| 2023 Q2 | 7,488 | 7,089 | 51.4% |
| 2023 Q3 | 8,398 | 7,091 | 54.2% |
| 2023 Q4 | 7,527 | 6,968 | 51.9% |
| 2024 Q1 | 7,861 | 7,488 | 51.2% |
| 2024 Q2 | 8,317 | 7,422 | 52.8% |
| 2024 Q3 | 8,419 | 7,551 | 52.7% |
| 2024 Q4 | 7,688 | 6,857 | 52.9% |
| 2025 Q1 | 7,352 | 7,106 | 50.9% |
| 2025 Q2 | 7,269 | 7,024 | 50.9% |
| 2025 Q3 | 7,124 | 7,061 | 50.2% |
| 2025 Q4 | 6,364 | 6,640 | 48.9% |
| 2026 Q1 | 6,472 | 7,368 | 46.8% |
| 2026 Q2 | 8,463 | 7,377 | 53.4% |
What the figures show
+31%
Section 21 claims in England in April to June 2026, the quarter "no fault" evictions ended, on the quarter before: 8,463 against 6,472. Landlords rushed to file before 1 May.
53.4%
of private landlord claims in England used Section 21 in April to June 2026, the highest share since July to September 2023. The rest went through the standard procedure, mostly Section 8.
28,423
Section 21 claims in England in the four quarters to June 2026. From the next figures, they should fall away: the last day to start a Section 21 claim was 31 July 2026.
2,527
repossessions by county court bailiffs in April to June 2026 came from Section 21 cases. Claims already in court keep moving through orders and warrants, so Section 21 evictions continue for months after the notices stopped.
+5%
change in standard procedure claims, mostly Section 8, on a year earlier: 7,377 in April to June 2026. With Section 21 gone, this is the figure to watch.
West Midlands
had the biggest last-minute rise in Section 21 claims, +37% on a year earlier. North East had the smallest, 0%.
Section 21 cases still in the system
A claim leads to a possession order, then if the tenant does not leave, a warrant and a repossession by county court bailiffs. Each step comes months after the last, so Section 21 orders, warrants and repossessions will carry on after the claims stop.
Section 21 cases in England, from claim to repossession, 2022 to 2026
In April to June 2026 there were 8,463 Section 21 claims, 5,511 outright orders, 3,077 warrants and 2,527 repossessions.
Show the data
| Quarter | Claims | Outright orders | Warrants | Repossessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Q1 | 5,889 | 3,757 | 1,782 | 1,045 |
| 2022 Q2 | 5,540 | 4,349 | 2,398 | 1,578 |
| 2022 Q3 | 6,093 | 4,653 | 2,523 | 1,792 |
| 2022 Q4 | 6,101 | 4,614 | 2,737 | 1,924 |
| 2023 Q1 | 6,817 | 5,495 | 3,484 | 2,250 |
| 2023 Q2 | 7,488 | 5,266 | 3,472 | 2,228 |
| 2023 Q3 | 8,398 | 6,155 | 3,452 | 2,308 |
| 2023 Q4 | 7,527 | 5,962 | 3,790 | 2,671 |
| 2024 Q1 | 7,861 | 6,182 | 4,322 | 2,682 |
| 2024 Q2 | 8,317 | 6,041 | 4,134 | 2,915 |
| 2024 Q3 | 8,419 | 6,754 | 4,411 | 2,829 |
| 2024 Q4 | 7,688 | 6,079 | 3,973 | 2,963 |
| 2025 Q1 | 7,352 | 6,217 | 3,986 | 2,931 |
| 2025 Q2 | 7,269 | 5,818 | 3,798 | 2,678 |
| 2025 Q3 | 7,124 | 5,728 | 4,019 | 3,105 |
| 2025 Q4 | 6,364 | 5,271 | 3,327 | 2,871 |
| 2026 Q1 | 6,472 | 5,051 | 3,334 | 2,622 |
| 2026 Q2 | 8,463 | 5,511 | 3,077 | 2,527 |
The last-minute rush, by region
Claims in April to June 2026 against April to June 2025, by region of England. Claims not matched to a council are left out here, so regions add up to slightly less than the England total.
| Region | Section 21 claims | Change on year | Standard claims | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | 701 | +37% | 547 | +9% |
| South East | 1,123 | +24% | 946 | +2% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 453 | +19% | 492 | +17% |
| North West | 914 | +18% | 885 | +5% |
| East Midlands | 469 | +18% | 474 | +21% |
| South West | 594 | +16% | 400 | +7% |
| East of England | 726 | +15% | 670 | -2% |
| London | 3,220 | +10% | 2,646 | +3% |
| North East | 179 | 0% | 271 | +4% |
For every council area, see the Landlord Risk Map.
The Act's milestones
Next: 15 December 2026, the landlord database ("Register your rental property") launches in the West Midlands, then rolls out region by region over 12 months.
- Done
27 October 2025
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 receives Royal Assent. Source
- Done
1 May 2026
Section 21 "no fault" evictions are abolished in England. Tenancies become assured periodic tenancies, and landlords need a legal ground under Section 8 to regain possession. Source
- Done
22 June 2026
Councils in England can fine landlords up to £7,000 for failing to fix the most serious (Category 1) hazards. Source
- Done
31 July 2026
Last day to start court proceedings on a Section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026.
- Coming
15 December 2026
The landlord database ("Register your rental property") launches in the West Midlands, then rolls out region by region over 12 months. Source
- Coming
14 November 2027
Deadline for every landlord actively letting property in England to be registered. Source
- Coming
Expected 2028
Landlords required to join the new private rented sector landlord ombudsman. Source
- Coming
October 2030
Privately rented homes in England must reach EPC band C, with a spending cap of £10,000 per property.
Section 21 and homelessness
The end of a private tenancy is the most common reason households in England are owed help to avoid homelessness.
- 14,120 households owed help because a private tenancy was ending January to March 2026, England Provisional. MHCLG
- 6,540 of them had been served a Section 21 notice January to March 2026, England MHCLG
- 45% of renters asked to leave in the last three years were served a Section 21 notice 2024-25, England MHCLG
Section 21 questions
Has Section 21 been abolished?
Yes, in England. Section 21 "no fault" evictions were abolished on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and landlords now need a legal ground under Section 8 to regain possession.
Can a landlord still use a Section 21 notice?
No new Section 21 notices can be served in England since 1 May 2026. A notice served before then could still lead to a court claim, but only if proceedings started by 31 July 2026. Cases already in court continue through orders, warrants and repossessions.
Does the Renters' Rights Act apply in Wales?
The Act's tenancy reforms apply in England. Wales has had its own system since 1 December 2022, when the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 changed the way all landlords in Wales rent their properties. This tracker counts England only.
How many Section 21 claims were there before it ended?
In April to June 2026, the quarter Section 21 ended, landlords in England made 8,463 Section 21 claims, +31% on the quarter before. In the four quarters to June 2026 there were 28,423.
When will the court figures show the effect?
The first full quarter after the 31 July 2026 deadline for Section 21 claims is July to September 2026. The next figures, for July to September 2026, are due on 12 November 2026 (a provisional date). This tracker updates when new figures are published.
What replaces Section 21?
Landlords in England need a ground for possession under Section 8, such as rent arrears or the landlord wanting to sell or move in. Those claims go through the standard court procedure, which is why the standard claims figure on this page is the one to watch.
How the figures are worked out
- England only. The Act's tenancy reforms apply in England. Totals are all county courts in England and Wales minus those in the Wales region, so claims not matched to a council are still counted.
- Section 21 claims. Claims under the accelerated procedure, which was only open to Section 21 notices. A Section 21 claim could also go through the standard procedure, so the true Section 21 total is a little higher.
- Standard claims. Private landlord claims under the standard procedure: mostly Section 8 grounds such as rent arrears, plus some Section 21.
- Claims are not evictions. A claim starts a court case. Many end in a settlement, a suspended order or no order; repossessions are the evictions carried out by county court bailiffs.
- Regions. From the council-level file, using each council's region. Claims not matched to a council are left out of the regional figures.
Sources
- Ministry of Justice, Mortgage and landlord possession statistics, April to June 2026, published 13 August 2026
- MHCLG, Renters' Rights Act 2025 implementation roadmap, and the milestone sources linked above
- MHCLG, Statutory homelessness in England; English Housing Survey
- Welsh Government, Housing law is changing: Renting Homes Wales
For journalists
Using these figures
You are welcome to use any figure on this page: each finding and chart has a ready-made citation. Please credit the Renters' Rights Act tracker and link to it. The tracker updates when the July to September 2026 figures are published on 12 November 2026.
The figures and the download are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0: use them freely, with credit to Landlord Insurance UK.