Landlords in England and Wales lodged 28,610 possession claims during the four quarters to March 2026, analysis by LegalforLandlords reveals. These figures suggest that court action is a significant element of the rental market, despite high tenant demand and competition for homes.
Possession proceedings may arise from issues such as rent arrears, tenancy breaches, or antisocial behaviour, as well as landlords seeking to regain their properties. A claim marks the beginning of court proceedings and does not guarantee a possession order or eviction.
London recorded the highest number of claims, with 10,186, making up almost 36% of the total for England and Wales. The South East followed with 3,396 claims, then the North West with 3,255, and the West Midlands with 2,402.
At a local authority level, Newham had the most claims at 984. Birmingham recorded 691, Redbridge 615, Enfield 588, and Croydon 544. Other areas in the top ten included Barking and Dagenham, Lewisham, Ealing, Manchester, and Greenwich.
Sim Sekhon, Group CEO of LegalforLandlords, noted that while demand is strong, tenancies can still break down, necessitating landlords to recover possession for serious issues. He emphasised the increasing complexity of the legal framework for possession, highlighting the importance of correct documentation, evidence, and legal guidance.