Substantial rise is a likely result of the Renters’ Rights Act

New Ministry of Justice residential tribunal statistics show a 24% year on year annual rise in the number of residential property cases in England, with the number of cases rising to 15,929 in the year to the end of June.

However, most notable was a 56% year on year increase in the number of cases in the second quarter of 2026 to 4,613 cases.

The figures cover rent cases, leasehold enfranchisement claims, leasehold disputes, Housing Act 2004 cases and park homes. The substantial second quarter rise is likely a result of the Renters’ Rights Act reforms which came into force in May.  

Raising concerns

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, said: “As the Renters Rights Act beds in, we’d expect to see the number of cases referred to tribunal rise exponentially, particularly in respect of rent reviews. Both buy-to-let landlords and the government will have a keen eye on the capacity to process these cases.”

Cook said the figures could cause concern for both landlords and the government at the possible problems it will concern. “Landlords will be particularly concerned to see if this results in a delay in the ability to charge a reviewed market rent. Meanwhile, the government will be concerned with both the cost of administration and the need for any tweaks in the regulations,” he said.