Tales from the Front Line

Beware the tenant

by Tim Hubbard
on October 22, 2009 in Properties

Recently we have encountered what would appear to be the worst case scenario when your tenant decides not to pay the rent. In this case it took around 10 months for eviction to take place and this was for a tenant with a formal Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement from a reputable agent.

Proceedings can take a number of months before the case can be heard at court, at which point there is no way of ensuring the tenant will show up. Although this will obviously not reflect well on them, if they choose to play the game they can carry on staying at your property rent free until a possession order is obtained. Once the court has issued this, the tenant has 14 days to vacate the property before bailiffs can be instructed. We understand this can take a further 6-8 weeks! Finally the tenant will then be forceably removed.