Cost of evicting a tenant?

knightstyle

Just trying to get an idea of expected costs.  House must be sold and tenants are willing to get out, sect 21 isseud but council will not rehome them till they have a court eviction notice.
Letting agent will not help progress.
This is for a charity so money is tight.  Tenants are registered with the council as in need of care.

pramsay13

Why not just sell with tenants in place?

knightstyle

the house is not suitable any more, steep stairs and steps to front door, plus £10-£20k difference in price.

anselld

Court fees £355.  However if they do not leave when ordered there will be further fees for bailiffs etc.
Fees can be claimed from tenant deposit if there is one and if it is not already consumed.

_Penny_Dreadful

What anselld said plus, if you can't represent yourself in court due to distance or some other reason, you will need to pay a solicitor to represent you.  You can have the court costs, but not the cost of a solicitor awarded again the tenant if you are successful in obtaining the possession order.  If you are not successful, and there are several things that can invalidate a Section 21, you'll need to start the process from scratch again.  Nearly Legal has a good flow chart you can use: https://nearlylegal.co.uk/section-21-flowchart

The council will probably hold out until bailiffs remove the tenants from the property because there is a chronic shortage of social housing.  You can the option of county court bailiffs of high court enforcement officers.  The latter is more expensive but a bit faster.

knightstyle

Thanks, now trying to find a local solicitor to help without breaking the bank.

Zoe02

knightstyle said:

Just trying to get an idea of expected costs.  House must be sold and tenants are willing to get out, sect 21 isseud but council will not rehome them till they have a court eviction notice.
Letting agent will not help progress.
This is for a charity so money is tight.  Tenants are registered with the council as in need of care.

Currently going through s21 myself. 

Will cost £355 + £130 for bailiffs.

If the tenant can find alternative accomodation themselves without council help then will just be £355.

If the tenant need council help which many need will be until bailiffs date or close before they leave.

I have bailiffs date for 26/07 and tenant still there and the council said she will get temporary accommodation once homeless.

I started the process in January so has taken 6 months and that's with all the paperwork in order and no court  hearing.

Zoe02

pramsay13 said:

Why not just sell with tenants in place?

Does not always work out because reduced buyers, only investors as banks won't lend residential mortgage with tenants in. 

Some tenants don't grant viewing. 

Zoe02

knightstyle said:

Thanks, now trying to find a local solicitor to help without breaking the bank.

On the landlord forums i am on Facebook many say eviction specialist are better. 

If a straightforward case and all paperwork in order can do yourself but if not experienced or unsure then worth paying professionals. 

NRLA also have useful resources and have a telephone support line. 

Grizebeck

You don't need a solicitor
Ask the court for telephone or video hearing 
Be careful of employing firms which are unable to conduct litigation due to a recent high court case.

knightstyle

Thanks again everyone,  Grizeback, could you tell me more about the court case?