Across England, landlords are being left in limbo as County Court Bailiff delays continue to cause serious financial strain and disrupt the rental market.

New research reveals that it now takes an average of eight months, and in some cases over a year, for an eviction to take place in London after a judge has ruled that a tenant must vacate the property. The result? Lost rent averaging £12,708 per property nationwide, rising to an eye-watering £19,223 in London.

A System Under Strain

The findings come from the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA), working in partnership with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Propertymark, and Landlord Action. Together, they warn that the current County Court enforcement system is “threatening to derail the rental sector,” leaving both private landlords and social housing providers shouldering thousands in unnecessary losses.

At least one County Court has recently confirmed that its bailiffs will “no longer be able to use reasonable force” to evict tenants, further extending the delays. The HCEOA says this policy shift risks worsening the backlog dramatically, especially in London.

The Case for High Court Enforcement

Under current law, landlords can apply to “transfer up” their case from the County Court to the High Court for enforcement, where High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) can often act within a month of receiving a Writ. According to the HCEOA, this could save landlords around £12,000 per property in London alone.

However, only around 30% of such requests are currently approved by District Judges, with many applications blocked by bureaucratic red tape or judicial reluctance.

A Blueprint for Change

To address the crisis, the HCEOA and its partners have published a two-part plan urging the Government to act swiftly:

1. Empower District Judges to approve transfers to the High Court wherever local bailiff delays exceed three months, or where reasonable force may be required.
2. Simplify the “transfer up” process, making it easier for landlords to apply, for courts to administer, and compatible with the future digital reform of the court system.

These changes, the HCEOA argues, could “massively improve the situation almost overnight” without compromising tenant protection, since evictions by HCEOs follow the same strict legal framework as those by County Court Bailiffs.

Voices from the Sector

“Wait times within the court system have reached record levels,” says Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA. “To stop landlords facing further disruption, the Government must take the steps outlined in this report, particularly allowing more cases to be transferred to the High Court.”

Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, adds: “Landlords cannot be expected to prop up a system that’s broken. Allowing more High Court enforcement is not about giving landlords an advantage, it’s about making the system fair and efficient for everyone.”

What This Means for Landlords

For landlords across the UK, and particularly in London, the message is clear: the current County Court system is struggling to cope. Applying for leave to transfer a possession order to the High Court, supported by clear evidence of hardship or delay, could save months of stress and thousands in lost rent.

With demand for rental homes still strong, every unnecessary delay in reclaiming property adds to the national housing shortage and reduces the supply of rental stock, hurting both landlords and tenants alike.

✅ Boydens’ View:

At Boydens, we understand how vital prompt and fair resolution is when it comes to tenancy enforcement. Whether you’re an experienced landlord or new to property investment, our expert lettings team can help you navigate the legal and practical steps to protect your portfolio and maintain compliance.

📞 If you’re facing tenancy challenges or considering your next investment, get in touch with your local Boydens branch today.