Eviction Procedures for UK Landlords: With Tips & Advice

Key description:

• Proven tips for eviction procedures for UK landlords that can make things simpler and less complicated.
• Associate with professionals who can help you with the eviction process and attract new tenants.

Do you want to evict your tenants without falling into legal complications?

Are you finding it difficult to finalise the right eviction procedures for UK landlords?

Well, you are not alone. 

Multiple landlords in the UK are unaware of the right eviction process and have a legal spat with their tenants.

You must consider proven factors with the eviction tips that can help you easily achieve your desired results.

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

Effective Eviction Tips for UK Landlords

If you want to sell your property or are unhappy with the way your tenants maintain the property, evicting a tenant is never pleasant. 

The reason for eviction can be anything. But you can’t do it illegally. 

To ensure the eviction process is painless for everyone concerned, here are the tips you can follow. 

1. Notice is your weapon

In April 2024, it was estimated that 830,000 tenants were evicted over the last 12 months, out of which 190,000 were likely to be served a legal eviction notice.

Based on the Housing Act 1988, there are two legal routes you can use to evict your tenant:

Section 21 eviction notice

If your tenants have completed the initial fixed-term period of a tenancy and you want new tenants on your property, you can serve a Section 21 notice and ask your tenants to vacate the property by the end of the notice period. 

It is one of the simplest ways of getting your tenant to leave the property. Why? Because you don’t have to provide any reasons for claiming possession for assured shorthold tenancies.

There’s a possibility that it will be removed once the Renters Reform Bill comes into law. But as the bill did not become law before the general election, you can still use Section 21 to end assured shorthold tenancies.

There are some points where you can’t serve a Section 21 notice:

• If you haven’t placed your tenant’s deposit in one of the approved deposit protection schemes
• If you don’t have the landlord licenses
• In the initial four months of the tenancy agreement
• If you haven’t given your tenants copies of the Gas Safety Certificate, Energy Performance Certificate, and the government’s How to Rent Guide

The Section 21 notice should be delivered in writing using the appropriate form. Also, the tenants should be given a minimum of two months’ written notice.

Section 8 eviction notice 

If your tenant has damaged the property, missed rent payments, or otherwise broken their tenancy rental agreement, you can proceed with eviction proceedings by using Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988.

You must fill in a ‘Notice seeking possession of a property let on an assured agricultural occupancy or assured tenancy’.

The notice period varies depending on the grounds for possession.

• Repossession by lender – 2 months
• Owner occupation – 2 months
• Non-payment of rent/serious rent arrears – 2 weeks
• No right to rent in the UK – 2 weeks
• Serious anti-social behaviour – 2 weeks

2. Order for possession

Once the notice has been served, chances are your tenants can vacate your property. But if things go down and they don’t have the property by the date specified, you have the right to apply for an order for possession.

There are two types of possession orders:

Standard

If you want to claim back unpaid rent with the eviction, you can apply for a standard possession order through the local court. It can cost you around £355. You have to collect all the necessary evidence and hire a lawyer to rule the hearing in favour of your appeal.

Accelerated

If you don’t have any unpaid rent to claim, go ahead with the accelerated possession order. There’s no court hearing because you just need to fill form N5B and send it to the nearest court. The court will send a copy of the application to your tenant and give them 14 days to object to the eviction case.

3. Warrant of possession

If the tenant doesn’t vacate your property after the order for possession has expired, it’s time to up the ante.

You must apply to the court for a warrant for possession.

Once approved, a bailiff can evict your tenants.

But getting into the legalities of the eviction process can be overwhelming for you. You can get assistance from professionals who can help you escape the hassle.

Pluxa Partners Got You Covered

We, at Pluxa Partners, understand how to help you streamline the eviction process and proceed further with your property goals.

From marketing to maintenance, we can help you with hassle-free property management. You can also list your serviced apartment with us today and improve your ROI. 

Our team has years of experience in helping landlords with the eviction process and handling all the legalities. We can also go ahead with your guest screening, which can help you minimise the risk of tenant–landlord disputes, which can avoid all future complications. 

So, what’s making you wait?

Contact our professionals for all your property management requirements.  

FAQs

What is an order of eviction in the UK?

An order of eviction or possession order is a legal directive from the court allowing you to regain possession of your property from a tenant.

As a landlord, what is the procedure for evicting a tenant?

To evict a tenant in the UK, follow these steps:

• Serve a notice: Issue a Section 21 or Section 8 notice. 
• Wait for the notice period.
• Apply for a possession order.
• Warrant for possession.