Our dedicated team have significant experience in advising landlords on all issues including:

• Preparing tenancy agreements
• Serving notices
• Taking court action to remove troublesome tenants
• Disrepair claims

We guarantee to serve any notices, issue any proceedings or prepare any tenancy agreements on the same day if we receive all details before midday, or the following day if received after midday.

You will receive a full explanation of the cost and the process at the outset and we promise to keep to the fixed fee prices quoted below for the 3 steps.

Our 3 Step Guide

Step 1: Notice

FEES £50 inc VAT per notice served by 1st class post.

For assured shorthold tenancies there are two types of notices that can be served on a tenant requiring them to give up possession of the property.

• Section 21 Notice
• Section 8 Notice

Section 21 Notice

A section 21 notice can be served at any time by a landlord but it must be in writing.

It must give the tenant at least 2 clear months notice to vacate (not 8 weeks which is a mistake often made). If it is sent by post, then allow at least three days for delivery and then calculate the two months.

If the notice is served during the initial fixed term (usually 6 months) then the notice cannot expire until the end of that 6 month period at the earliest.

If the notice is served after the fixed term has ended, special attention must be given to the date upon which the notice expires which must be the last day of a rent period. This can only be determined by looking at the wording of the tenancy agreement.

Section 8 Notice

A section 8 notice can be used at any time when the tenant is in arrears and the notice must be in a prescribed form. It is most commonly used in cases of rent arrears (but can be used in other circumstances e.g. antisocial behaviour or other breach of tenancy).

There are different grounds under section 8 but grounds 8, 10 and 11 are the main grounds and the wording of each must be specified in the notice.

This type of notice gives the tenant two weeks to vacate the premises or pay the arrears before proceedings for possession can be issued.

In our experience the tenant rarely pays after a section 8 notice is served and possession proceedings usually follow.

It is best to use a section 8 notice when the tenant is two months or 8 weeks in arrears. Under ground 8, the court must give a possession order if the tenant has 2 months or 8 weeks arrears when the notice is served and when the court hearing takes place.

Step 2: Possession Proceedings

If when the notice expires the tenant has not vacated the property, possession proceedings must be issued, otherwise you may face an unlawful eviction claim and prosecution by the local authority.

Remember:-

• The local authority will not re-house until a possession order is made.
• If the local authority find out about the arrears, they will treat the tenant as intentionally homeless and may not re-house them at all.
• Landlords are less likely to take “problem tenants” as a result of the direct payment schemes.

Step 2 Fees

£600 inc court fee and VAT for issuing proceedings, attending the first hearing and obtaining a possession order.

If the tenant defends the proceedings or disputes your claims, then further charges may be payable.

Step 3: Warrant

If the tenant fails to vacate after the possession order is given then a Warrant of Possession will be required.

Step 3 Fees

£175 inc Court fee and VAT for preparing and issuing the Warrant.

What we need from you to start the process:

• The tenancy agreement
• Full names and addresses of the landlord and the tenant. 
• A rent statement in four columns- date/ payments due/ payments received/ running total of arrears.
• Short details of efforts made by you to collect the arrears and any correspondence.