Landlords Face Eviction Delays of Up to 11 Months — Here’s the Faster Alternative

Landlords in parts of England are now facing eviction delays of up to 11 months as court backlogs continue to worsen, leaving many stuck in long possession processes while rent arrears grow and costs mount.

New figures reveal that in some regions, landlords are waiting nearly a year from issuing a claim to getting a resolution in court — even where the case is straightforward.

For landlords relying solely on the courts, this can mean 11 months of uncertainty, unpaid rent, and ongoing mortgage and maintenance costs.

Where Are Delays the Worst?

According to the data, some of the longest delays are being experienced in courts serving:

• Central London

• Willesden

• Edmonton

• Clerkenwell and Shoreditch

In these areas, landlords are seeing average possession times stretch to around 11 months.

Other regions including Leeds, Sheffield, Brighton, and parts of the North East are also experiencing delays of eight months or more.

What an 11 Month Delay Really Means for Landlords

An eviction delay of 11 months is not just inconvenient — it is financially damaging.

During this time, landlords may:

• Lose tens of thousands of pounds in rent

• Continue paying mortgage, insurance, and service charges

• Have no certainty over when the property will be returned

And with further changes coming under the Renters’ Rights Act, pressure on the courts is expected to increase rather than ease.

The Alternative Most Landlords Aren’t Using

When eviction through the courts is dragging on for 8, 9, or 11 months, there is another lawful route many landlords overlook — rehousing via the council.

If a tenant is at risk of losing their home, landlords can support them to present to their local council as at risk of homelessness under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Once this happens, councils become legally required to act.

Why Councils Get Involved

Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, councils have a duty to:

• Assess households threatened with homelessness within 56 days

• Take reasonable steps to prevent homelessness

• Help secure alternative accommodation where needed

This duty applies even while eviction proceedings are ongoing.

In practice, this often leads to:

• Councils negotiating with landlords

• Alternative accommodation being sourced

• Tenants moving out voluntarily

• Landlords regaining possession without waiting months for court

Why This Can Be Faster Than Court

Courts are overwhelmed.

Councils, however, are under statutory time pressure once a homelessness duty is triggered.

For landlords, this means that while a court case may take 11 months, rehousing through the council can sometimes resolve the situation in weeks rather than months.

What Landlords Should Consider

If you are currently stuck in a long eviction process, this approach does not require you to stop your legal action.

Instead, it involves:

1. Continuing with your lawful eviction process

2. Supporting the tenant to present to the council as at risk of homelessness

3. Allowing the council to carry out its statutory duties

4. Engaging in discussions if the council proposes rehousing options

   
   

In many cases, tenants leave before a court hearing or bailiff appointment, avoiding the long wait altogether.

Final Thought

When eviction delays stretch to 11 months, landlords need practical alternatives.

Using council rehousing alongside the eviction process can provide a faster, lawful route to regaining possession — while preventing homelessness and avoiding months of financial loss.

Handled correctly, it can be the difference between waiting nearly a year and resolving the issue far sooner.