Step One; give your tenant notice (a Section 8 or a Section 21 Housing Act 1988 notice), this will include the date the tenant should vacate the property. From 1st June 2021, 4 months notice is required for all but the most serious of cases.
Step Two; if the tenant doesn’t move out by the expiry date on the notice, you can apply to court for a Possession Order. If your application is based on a Section 21 notice you can use the court’s “Accelerated Procedure”; if this is accepted by the judge you can receive a Possession Order without a hearing taking place.
Step Three; the judge will review the court file. You will be given a date for this and you will need to be available on this date. Where possible, a settlement will hopefully be reached on this day, without the need to go to court. You will also be asked if you and the tenant would like mediation; if you both agree this will be arranged (the Government is currently funding the Rental Mediation Service).
Step Four; if no agreement is reached there will be a Possession Hearing 28 days after the review date. At this point the judge will decide to either grant a Possession Order or offer another direction to be considered.
Step Five; if a Possession Order has been granted and the tenant does not leave by the specified date, you can apply to court for a Warrant of Possession. A County Court Bailiff will enforce the warrant and carry out the eviction.
