Landlords across the UK are facing a growing challenge in 2025 as court delays continue to increase—and the financial impact is becoming impossible to ignore. New analysis from Legal for Lettings reveals just how severe the situation has become, especially for those operating in London. (source https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2025/12/revealed-the-regions-where-landlords-face-longest-court-delays/)
London Landlords Hit Hardest
The research shows that London-based landlords are experiencing the highest financial losses when pursuing possession cases involving ongoing rent arrears.
On average, landlords in the capital have lost £22,968 in unpaid rent by the time their case concludes.
This sharp figure is the result of two key factors:
London’s high average rents, currently around £2,197 per month
The longest possession court delays in the country
For comparison, the UK-wide average loss is £8,700, less than half the London figure, highlighting how much greater the financial risk is for landlords in the capital.
Regional Delays Remain Deeply Uneven
One of the core issues for landlords is the inconsistency in wait times across court regions.
Some of the most delayed courts include:
Central London, Willesden, Edmonton, Clerkenwell & Shoreditch – 11-month average delay
Teesside, Leeds, Brighton and Sheffield – around 8 months
Nationally, the average wait time for a possession case is now five months, creating cashflow pressures and operational uncertainty for landlords of all sizes.
The End of Section 21 Could Increase Backlogs Further
With the abolition of Section 21 now under five months away, experts warn that the situation may worsen before it improves.
Legal for Lettings reports that more landlords are choosing to use Section 21 notices while they remain available, which is already contributing to rising case numbers.
As the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, without meaningful court reform, backlogs could continue to grow, placing additional financial strain on landlords.
What Landlords Should Consider Now
In the face of rising delays and unrecovered rent, landlords may want to:
Review rent protection insurance or guarantee products - call us now for q quote for your rent guarantee insurance cover
Strengthen tenant referencing and affordability checks - work with a professional letting agent to obtain the right checks and references
Build contingency funds to absorb potential arrears - save your surplus rental income for the rainy day issues
Seek early legal guidance when arrears begin to accumulate - find a landlord-centric legal adviser and get their professional advice
Preparation and proactive management are becoming essential as structural changes reshape the private rented sector.
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