"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."
- Jason Harris-Cohen - LandlordBuyer
New Ministry of Justice figures analysed by LandlordBuyer show that from July to September 2025, housing repossessions across England and Wales increased even though overall possession claims fell during the same period.
Possession data from the Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics (Q3 2025) records an 8% fall in landlord possession claims year-on-year, declining from 25,402 to 23,327. Possession orders fell by 5%, and warrants dropped by 4%. However, repossessions rose 9%, increasing from 7,036 to 7,641 cases. This contrast highlights growing financial pressures for both landlords and tenants.
“What we’re seeing is a market where fewer claims are being issued, but more of them are ending in repossession,” said Jason Harris-Cohen, director. “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 follow a similar pattern. Mortgage claims across all regions fell, while the median time from claim to repossession now stands at 46.1 weeks, compared with 44.0 weeks in 2024. At the same time, claim-to-warrant timelines have shortened to 33.1 weeks. These timings point to slow progress once warrants have been issued, creating delays in the final stages of repossession.
“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,” explained Jason.
Regional differences are also stark. London boroughs recorded the highest claim rates in the country, with:
the City of London posting the highest mortgage claim rate at 735 per 100,000 mortgaged households
Barking & Dagenham showing the highest private-landlord claim rate at 755 per 100,000 rented households
Barnet recording the highest rate of social-landlord claims at 774 per 100,000 households
These numbers position London as a focal point for possession risks, underscoring how financial strain varies sharply by region.
Market pressures are changing landlord behaviour. “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,” commented Jason.
He added that some owners are now prioritising faster routes out of challenging tenancy situations. “Landlords facing persistent arrears or legal uncertainty increasingly want a fast, guaranteed exit,” said Jason. “At LandlordBuyer we’re helping landlords sell quickly, often completing in days, so they can avoid the lengthy court processes now reflected in these MoJ statistics.”
Later stages of court enforcement, rising arrears, and shifting market rules are combining to shape the rental market in ways that may be more visible in repossession data than in early-stage claims. “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. With regional hotspots intensifying and court timelines lengthening, the landscape for landlords, homeowners, and tenants is shifting in ways that demand attention,” noted Jason.
“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.”
