Research - Accelerated possession claims treble in Wales

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show the number of accelerated possession claims has trebled in a year, showing the devastating impact of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act on lanlord confidence.

The graph charts the number of accelerated possession claims issued by landlords in Wales since 2012 to 2023. 

Since 2012 the number of claims issued prior have been relatively steady, aside from a Covid-related dip in claims during 2020 and 2021. The subsequent growth in cases coincides with the announcement of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act in January 2022.  

Whilst the number of claims recorded in the first quarter of 2022 was 176, one year later the number of claims issued by landlords had more than tripled to 591 – the biggest number of claims recorded in any single quarter in Wales.  

In the last five quarters since the announcement, more than 2,000 claims have been issued - more than the previous fifteen quarters combined (1,976).  Meanwhile the 1,445 claims issued in 2022 is more than four times as many issued in the whole of 2021 (348).   

The Act represents the biggest changes in the sector in 25 years and its implementation has been far from smooth. Wales needs more, not fewer rented homes, and while it's not clear if all the landlords who have repossessed are selling up this will undoubtedly account for a significant proportion, further exacerbating the current rental housing crisis.