Overall possession claims have fallen and repossessions are rising, according to figures released by the Ministry of Justice, analysed by LandlordBuyer, for July to September 2025.
The latest Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics (Q3 2025) revealed that landlord possession claims dropped by 8% year-on-year, from 25,402 to 23,327.
Possession orders and warrants also declined by 5% and 4% respectively.
Yet in a notable contrast, landlord repossessions jumped 9% compared to the same period last year, increasing from 7,036 to 7,641 cases.
According to Jason Harris-Cohen, director of LandlordBuyer, this divergence is a warning sign.
Harris-Cohen said: “What we’re seeing is a market where fewer claims are being issued, but more of them are ending in repossession.
“That suggests rising financial stress among tenants and landlords, and a higher conversion rate of cases moving all the way through the courts.”
Mortgage possession trends showed a similar pattern of slowing early action but increasing ultimate enforcement.
Across the regions, mortgage claims fell – yet the median time from claim to repossession has climbed to 46.1 weeks, up from 44.0 weeks last year.
Meanwhile, claim-to-warrant times have shortened to 33.1 weeks.
This hints at operational bottlenecks after warrants are issued, elongating the final stages of repossession.
Harris-Cohen added: “The delay between a claim and the final takeover of the property is stretching longer, which makes things harder for both lenders and struggling homeowners. Rising arrears and slower resolution mean uncertainty is creeping into the system.”
London boroughs dominated the highest claim rates.
The statistics also revealed significant regional disparities.
The City of London recorded the highest mortgage claim rate at 735 per 100,000 mortgaged households, while Barking & Dagenham saw the highest private-landlord claim rate at 755 per 100,000 rented households and Barnet registered the highest rate of social-landlord claims at 774 per 100,000 households.
Harris-Cohen continued: “We’re speaking to more landlords who are struggling with arrears, legislation changes, and stronger enforcement.
“Many want to exit the market before pressures intensify further particularly ahead of new regulations such as Awaab’s Law.”
“Landlords facing persistent arrears or legal uncertainty increasingly want a fast, guaranteed exit. The Q3 2025 possession data paints a picture of a tense and uneven housing market: fewer claims being issued, but more people ultimately losing their properties.”
He concluded: “With regional hotspots intensifying and court timelines lengthening, the landscape for landlords, homeowners, and tenants is shifting in ways that demand attention.
“The figures are provisional, but the direction of travel is clear: financial stress, legal delays, and shifting landlord behaviour continue to shape the sector as the UK approaches a pivotal year for housing legislation.”
