Repossession

Last updated: November 2024
Next estimated update: February 2025

What does this indicator show?

This indicator shows the number of repossessions of properties in London by year. For 2024, we only currently have data for three quarters, and so comparisons can’t be made to other years.

What does it tell us?

The total number of repossessions in London during the first three quarters of 2024 was 6,953, including 3,373 Section 21 ("no-fault") evictions. If we were to see this level of repossessions continue into the final quarter of 2024, the total number would return to pre-pandemic levels. During the pandemic, various protection schemes meant that the number of repossessions significantly reduced. 

Between 2015 and 2019, the total number of repossessions in London fell by more than 50%. This fall was primarily driven by the reduction in landlord accelerated repossessions - the route taken by private landlords to regain possession of a property after a Section 21 (a so-called “no fault”) eviction. At the end of 2019, this type of repossession was just over a third of the level it was in 2015. 

Repossessions for people with mortgages have almost disappeared in London over the past decade, falling from over 3,604 a year in 2009 to 381 in 2019. This was possibly caused by low interest rates and has remained low post pandemic.

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