If you are a landlord seeking to regain possession of your property in a swift and efficient manner, an accelerated possession order may be the right course of action. Accelerated possession orders are designed for landlords who wish to evict tenants without going to court, and the process typically takes around 6-8 weeks from start to finish. However, the actual timescales can vary depending on several factors.
The first step in obtaining an accelerated possession order is to serve a Section 21 notice on your tenant. This notice informs the tenant that you wish to repossess the property and gives them a minimum of two months’ notice to vacate. Once the notice period has expired, you can then apply to the court for an accelerated possession order.
The application process for an accelerated possession order involves submitting the necessary forms and evidence to the court, along with the appropriate fee. The court will then review the paperwork and, if everything is in order, issue the possession order. In most cases, this process takes around 4-6 weeks, although it can be longer if there are any issues with the paperwork or if the court is particularly busy.
Once the possession order has been granted, it is typically valid for six months. This means that you have six months to enforce the order and evict the tenant if they have not already vacated the property. In some cases, the court may grant an extension to the possession order if there are valid reasons for doing so.
Enforcing the possession order and evicting the tenant can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the cooperation of the tenant and the method of enforcement used. In most cases, landlords will hire bailiffs to carry out the eviction, as they have the legal authority to remove tenants from the property if necessary.
It is important to note that accelerated possession orders are not suitable for all situations. If your tenant is in arrears with their rent, causing damage to the property, or engaging in antisocial behavior, you may need to apply for a standard possession order instead. Standard possession orders are typically used in more complex cases and can take longer to process than accelerated possession orders.
In some cases, tenants may also contest an accelerated possession order, which can further delay the process. If this happens, the case may need to be heard in court, which can add several weeks or even months to the timescales involved. However, the majority of accelerated possession orders are uncontested, making them a popular choice for landlords looking to regain possession of their property quickly and easily.
Overall, accelerated possession order timescales can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the efficiency of the court system. However, in most cases, landlords can expect the process to take around 6-8 weeks from start to finish. By following the correct procedures and seeking legal advice where necessary, landlords can ensure that they regain possession of their property in a timely and hassle-free manner.
In conclusion, accelerated possession orders offer landlords a quick and efficient way to evict tenants who are not complying with their tenancy agreement. By understanding the timescales involved and following the correct procedures, landlords can navigate the process successfully and regain possession of their property in a timely manner.