8^th Aug 2014

The Government has just published the latest quarter's figures of the number of claims taken to County courts by landlords wishing to claim possession of their properties.

Previously the number of claims in County courts by landlords was 194,645 in 2002 and by 2010 had fallen to 134, 961.

However by 2013 landlord claims rose to 170,451. an increase of 26%. This trend was not the same for mortgage possession claims over the same period, as there was a steep decline in numbers by 29%.

The governments figures for the second quarter of this year state that there were 38,509 landlord claims, which is the highest second quarter claims recorded since 2009. The good news is that over the last two years this is the lowest quarterly figure.

It estimates that the proportion of landlord claims that have progressed to re-possession by bailiffs and orders or warrants has only slightly risen from 2010. In that year estimates of percentage claims leading to repossessions was 21%, warrants - 36% and orders being issued was 68%.

This year the second quarter's estimates of claims leading to repossessions was 21%, warrants - 38% and orders being issued was 72%.