On 8 August 2024, the Ministry of Justice published the statistics for Q2 2024 relating to possession proceedings in England and Wales.

The data covers the period from April to June 2024. It confirms that the impact of higher interest rates and the recent period of high inflation has led to an increase in claims being brought, possession orders being made, warrants being issued and warrants being executed. The number of mortgage possession claims being brought is up by over a third (34%) year-on-year, whilst the number of claims brought by landlords has risen by 9% since this time last year.

Mortgage claims are at their highest level in 5 years and are 'close to' pre-pandemic levels (14% below). It takes slightly longer from claim to order, at 8.4 weeks, compared with 8.1 weeks a year ago - these figures suggest that on the whole, the Courts are adhering to CPR r.55.5(3)(b) by listing hearings (which are not trespass-based) within 8 weeks of the issue of the claim.

There is a particular concentration of possession proceedings work in the London area, which reflects the higher cost of living as well as the population density and larger housing stock in the capital.

The data reveals that although enforcement of a mortgage possession order is now slightly quicker - at 45.9 weeks, down from 48.7 weeks in Q2 2023 - the time taken for a landlord to enforce their order is higher than it was a year ago, standing at 25.4 weeks (a rise from 22.1 weeks last year).

A landlord enforcing a possession order takes significantly less time than a mortgagee with theirs; mortgagees' enforcement takes on average a further 20 weeks.