The accelerated possession procedure was one of the most attractive features of the old possession process — a fast, paper-based route to recovering a property without a court hearing. But with Section 21 abolished by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the procedure has changed significantly. Here is what landlords need to know.
What Was the Accelerated Procedure?
Under the old system, the accelerated procedure was used alongside Section 21 notices. A landlord would serve a Section 21 notice, and if the tenant did not leave, the landlord applied to court using the accelerated procedure. The case was dealt with on paper — a judge reviewed the application and, if everything was in order, made a possession order without a hearing. This saved significant time and cost.
It worked because Section 21 claims were straightforward. There was no ground to prove, no reasonableness test, and no factual dispute. The judge simply checked whether the notice and procedure were valid.
What Changed Under the RRA?
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 entirely from 1 May 2026. This removes the main use case for the accelerated procedure.
However, the procedure itself still exists under Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules. Its scope is now much more limited — it is available only where the landlord relies on mandatory Section 8 grounds and the facts are not in dispute.
When Can You Use It?
Three conditions must be met. First, the claim must be based on mandatory grounds under Section 8 — discretionary grounds are ineligible because they require a reasonableness assessment that cannot be done on paper. Second, the facts must not be in dispute — if the tenant files a defence contesting any aspect, the case must go to a full hearing. Third, the court must be satisfied the case can fairly be determined without a hearing.
In practice, tenants facing possession often file a defence, even if weak. The moment a defence is filed, the accelerated procedure is no longer available. Landlords should plan for a full hearing rather than rely on the accelerated route.
The Standard Possession Process
For most cases now, the standard process applies: serve a Section 8 notice, apply for a possession order after the notice expires, attend a hearing, and if successful, obtain a possession order. If the tenant does not leave, apply for a warrant of possession. This typically takes several months, depending on court backlogs.
Preparing for Court
Since most cases will need a hearing, preparation matters more than ever. Ensure your notice is correctly served with accurate particulars. Prepare a witness statement setting out the facts. Organise your evidence bundle: tenancy agreement, notice, proof of service, and supporting evidence. For Grounds 1 or 1A, bring evidence of your intention to move in or sell, such as estate agent instructions or valuations.
Costs and Timelines
The court fee for a standard possession claim is currently around 355 pounds, with additional fees for warrants. A straightforward uncontested case might take 4 to 6 months from notice to possession. A contested case could take 8 to 12 months or longer.
What This Means for Landlords
The practical effect is clear: possession is slower, more procedural, and more dependent on getting things right from the start. The days of a simple Section 21 notice followed by a quick paper-based order are over. Landlords need greater diligence on notice requirements, more thorough evidence preparation, and more realistic expectations about timelines.
Take Action
Prepare for the new possession process with the right documents. Generate your complete document pack for properly formatted Section 8 notices and all essential compliance documents.
Learn about the full eviction timeline in How Long Does Eviction Take in the UK?, or read our plain English guide to the Renters' Rights Act.