Advice on how to make eviction as smooth as possible for 'good' tenants

7sefton

The council doesn't have enough council properties for people, so they have created a scheme to encourage private landlords (like me) to take on tenants who are otherwise entitled to council properties. 

grumiofoundation

7sefton said:

I currently have tenants in my London flat that I now need to sell to free up capital next year.

I found the tenants (couple + child) through a local council housing scheme (essentially the council paid a deposit and incentive for me to rent to them, as they are on housing benefit and entitled to council housing): they've been great and looked after the property well. I explained to them at the start of the tenancy 18 months ago that I couldn't guarantee how long they could have the flat, but know how much this will be stressful for them.

I'm also aware the council will advise them to stay put until bailiffs arrive, so am prepared for a long-ish wait to effect repossession.

Obviously there are formal procedures to go through, but I wondered if anyone has any advice on how to make this as painless as possible for my tenants and also encourage them to remain cooperative throughout the process. I'm worried they might suddenly change and become resentful.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Why can you not try and sell with tenants in situ? 

Thrugelmir

Help find them a new home. 

canaldumidi

* if they want/need/ expect the council to re-house them, on this or another scheme, they willneed tostay put till bailifs call. 12 - 18 months

* if they agree to leave earlier, with or without a cash inducement of whatever amount, they'll be intentionally homeless and on their own. Depending on their circumstances they might agree if suitable private housing can be found and the inducement is worthwhile to them

* you do need to check your own agreement with the council. What does the scheme commit you to?

* whichever way you /they decide, a friendly explanaion face-to-face is the best way to keep relations friendly and minimise resentment. That cannot replace the formal process, only mitigate and explain it.

* selling with tenants in occupation is possible, at a lower than market rate. Maybe at auction. Saves waiting 18 months.

7sefton

I still don't understand why some of you are saying it will take 12-18 months.

Serve section 21: 2 months notice
(Accelerated possession order): 3 months
Appoint bailiffs: 2 months

Can someone tell me where I'm wrong?

980233

7sefton said:

I still don't understand why some of you are saying it will take 12-18 months.

Serve section 21: 2 months notice
(Accelerated possession order): 3 months
Appoint bailiffs: 2 months

Can someone tell me where I'm wrong?

The rather large backlog of court cases for the very same thing per chance.

TripleH

You won't become only person wanting to evict and will join the back ofca very long queue.

I don't know how it works but I assume you will be classed as being in a certain area to use a certain court. It might mean you have longer or shorter than the current wait to get to court.

Sadly there is no shortcut because you want to sell otherwise there will be a massive jump in the number of evictions for landlords wanting to sell (who will even more mysteriously change their minds or list at an over inflated price).

It might be worth talking to your local housing department as they may have a solution or be aware of another landlord?

theoretica

But also have you spoken to an estate agent about who the buyers would be - and how much of a price difference to expect selling it tenanted?  If it is a BTL sort of property, rather than an owner occupier one, there might be less of a price hit than you fear.

GDB2222

If these are really good tenants, paying market rent, what makes you think that you need vacant possession to sell at a good price? 

gettingtheresometime

If they're on this council scheme then is there a process (other than having to go through the eviction process) for situations like this?