Section 8 possession claims set to rise as landlords adapt to post-Section 21 market
Landlord possession claims are forecast to rise by 6.1% this year as landlords increasingly rely on Section 8 following the abolition of Section 21, according to LegalforLandlords.
Landlord possession claims are on course to increase by 6.1% during 2026 as landlords adjust to the removal of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act, according to new analysis from LegalforLandlords.
The company analysed the latest court data on private landlord possession claims in England, which it uses as a proxy for Section 8 activity. The figures show there were 7,629 private landlord possession claims in the first quarter of 2026, up 11.1% on the previous quarter and 4% higher than the same period last year. Based on current trends, LegalforLandlords forecasts around 30,516 possession claims will be made during 2026.
The increase comes after the Renters’ Rights Act came into force in May 2026, abolishing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and leaving Section 8 as the primary legal route for landlords seeking possession where tenancy issues arise, including rent arrears, anti-social behaviour or breaches of tenancy agreements.
LegalforLandlords said demand for specialist support has increased rapidly since the legislation took effect. The company said it has signed partnership agreements with 87 letting agent brands in the eight weeks since the Act came into force, with all seeking support around Section 8 possession cases. The latest court data also shows the median time from possession claim to repossession now stands at 26.4 weeks.
Sim Sekhon, group CEO at LegalforLandlords, said: “Section 21 has gone and Section 8 is now front and centre of the possession process. What we’re seeing is the market rapidly adapting to that reality.
“In the eight weeks since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, we’ve welcomed 87 letting agent brands into Section 8 support and professional services partnerships. We don’t believe that’s a short-term spike. It’s a reflection of how quickly agents and landlords are recognising that the rules of the game have changed.
“This isn’t simply a compliance issue. It’s a landlord protection issue and, increasingly, a landlord retention issue for letting agents.
“When a tenancy breaks down, landlords don’t want uncertainty. They want clear guidance, the right evidence, the correct process and the confidence that everything has been handled properly. Getting a Section 8 claim wrong can be costly, particularly when possession cases can already take months to progress through the courts.
“The opportunity for agents is significant. The most successful agents in this new environment won’t simply be those who find tenants. They will be the agents who can protect landlords when problems arise, through better advice, stronger partnerships and a clear understanding of the possession process.
“Section 8 is no longer just a notice. It has become a core part of landlord protection, and agents are putting the right support in place because they know the old market has gone.”
LegalforLandlords also highlighted the importance of accuracy when serving Section 8 notices. It noted that landlords relying on mandatory Ground 8 for rent arrears must demonstrate tenants owe at least two months’ rent both when notice is served and at the court hearing. The company added that procedural errors, incorrect notice periods and inadequate evidence could undermine possession claims.
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