Typical eviction time scale
Firstly, serving a Section 21 notice to the tenant gives them two months’ notice to vacate the property. As soon as the notice period is up, court action can be started.
You have four months from the Section 21 notice's end date to file a court application. After that date, the eviction notice is no longer valid.
If your tenants have not vacated by the date mentioned within the Section 21 notice and you are not seeking rent arrears, an expedited possession order may be applied for. There is often no court hearing and it may well be quicker than asking for a regular possession order.
This stage of the process normally takes six to eight weeks, but due to backlogs and delays in the court system brought on by personnel shortages, it may take longer.
The majority of Section 8 notifications need a minimum of two weeks' notice, such as in cases of unpaid rent.
Longer notice periods apply to some grounds for possession. For instance, two months' notice if you need to end the tenancy because the original tenant died.
You must ask the courts for a possession order if your renter ignores a Section 8 notice.
Seeking help from county court
If, as sometimes happens, your tenant ignores the possession order, you will need to apply for an eviction date with the county court bailiff. This can take weeks or even months.
A possession warrant is valid for 12 months from the day it is issued, although the court has the power to extend it.
Can I speed up the eviction process?
There is no method to achieving a quick eviction. As a landlord, you should be aware of all of your legal responsibilities, as any mistakes can cause delays. Be thorough while compiling any evidence and meticulously document all relevant information. It may be useful to maintain a good relationship with the tenant where possible and maintain open lines of communication.
What preparation can landlords make?
The eviction procedure might take anything from a few days to many weeks. Landlords must be ready to deal with the loss of ongoing rental revenue and maintain a reserve account at all times.
Try to prevent having to deal with an eviction in the first place to avoid having to deal with an eviction situation. Prior to beginning a leasing arrangement, put effort and time into identifying quality renters.
Find out how to best approach an eviction
In order to evict a tenant efficiently, you should fully understand the correct steps to follow and your rights as a landlord.
If you are facing the decision to evict your tenant, get in touch with experts in such matters, such as the specialists at AST Assistance. Call our dedicated team on 01706 619 954, emailing info@ast-assistance.com, or fill out our contact form here.
