Do you know how to evict your tenants? As a landlord, there are many reasons why you may need to recover possession of your property. However, councils are increasingly advising tenants not to leave properties voluntarily. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of possession proceedings commenced and therefore an increased importance in ensuring the proper process is followed.
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[tela_accordion title=”How to serve notice on your tenant”]
Most tenancies created after 1997 are assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs). For an AST you can serve two types of notices to end the tenancy: a section 8 notice or a section 21 notice.
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[tela_accordion title=”Section 8 Notices”]
A section 8 notice can be served during the tenancy where certain grounds are proven. For rent arrears, two full months of rent arrears must be present when the notice is served and at the date of the Hearing.
If there are over two months of rent arrears on both dates, then the Court must grant a possession order.
If the tenant was to pay off part of the rent arrears so they were below the two-month threshold, then the Court would only make a possession order if it felt it was appropriate. If the tenant were to make a counterclaim the Court may not be able to determine the level of rent arrears at the initial hearing. In this scenario a second hearing would be scheduled for the Court to consider the evidence in detail.
Typically, a counterclaim might be for disrepair at the property which materially affects the use of the premises.
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A section 21 notice must expire after the tenancy has ended. The section 21 notice must give the tenant a minimum of two months’ notice. There are a number of requirements to check before a valid notice can be served. Failure to ensure compliance before the notice is served would render the notice invalid and a new notice would need to be served.
If a valid section 21 notice has been served the Court must grant a possession order.
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[tela_accordion title=”What if the tenant refuses to leave after service of the notice?”]
The next step is to apply to the Court for a possession order. A standard possession order requires the tenant to leave the property within 14 days of the Hearing. This can be increased to 42 days if the tenant would suffer exceptional hardship.
If the tenant refuses to comply with the Court Order an application to Bailiffs must be made. The Bailiffs will visit the property and enforce the Court Order.
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[tela_accordion title=”How long does it take to evict a tenant?”]
The typical timeframes are:
- Two weeks for the section 8 notice or two months for the section 21 notice to expire
- One month between the Claim being filed and a Hearing occurring
- Two – six weeks for the tenant to be ordered to leave the Property
- Two months for a County Court Bailiff Appointment or three weeks for a High Court Bailiff Appointment to occur.
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[tela_accordion title=”How much does it cost to evict a tenant?”]
In addition to legal fees, there are a number of disbursements which are payable. To file the possession claim with the Court there is a Court Fee of £355. County Court Bailiffs charge a Court Fee of £121 to arrange an appointment. High Court Bailiffs charge differently but you would need to budget £700 plus VAT to arrange an appointment.
If you are successful at the Hearing and the tenant does not defend, the Court will typically order the tenant to pay you the £355 Court Fee and contribute £69.50 towards your legal fees. However, the Court will not take steps to enforce payment of these sums and it would be down to you to ensure payment of this and any rent arrears.
If the tenant defends the action in any way more realistic costs can be recovered but will generally not exceed 50% of the actual costs incurred.
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[tela_accordion title=”How can Pinney Talfourd help?”]
This is a technical area of law and we are frequently consulted by landlords who have employed agents to serve notices which have not been effective.
Pinney Talfourd have experienced and specialist solicitors who regularly deal with the possession proceedings. We understand the importance of the process and work to ensure resolution as soon as possible. We are able to attend Court proceedings locally or arrange representation on a nationwide basis.
We can provide fixed fee advice at the start of the process to explain the procedure and serve notices and will provide best estimate of overall costs at the outset.
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