This depends on whether the tenant has any money or not. If the tenant is claiming housing benefit, it is very unlikely you will receive any money. If you think your tenants have money we can pass your details onto our debt collectors who may be able to track the tenant and collect the debt, there are more costs involved for this.

Normally it will take 6-10 weeks to get the bailiff to the property; you can only use the court bailiff.

Please note: sometimes the London courts can take a little longer.

Most cases are not defended by the tenant so our costs are fixed. In about 7% of cases, usually because the landlord has done something wrong, the tenant puts in a defence. It is not possible for us (or anyone) to fix a fee for these cases because they are open-ended. When this happens, our solicitors will continue at favourable rates or we will move the case to a solicitor of your choice, at no charge.

We advise you to get to the property at least 30 minutes before the time set by the bailiff, try and get a locksmith to meet you there to change the locks.

This may mean that your tenant is putting in some form of defence, and the case may be adjourned for about a month. If the case is defended, you will have to pay £500.00 on account to our lawyers who will deal with the defence and provide another barrister for a new hearing date.

The tenant should leave by the date set by the court (normally 14 days) if not we need to go to step 3 and apply for the bailiff.

We will inform you of the name of your advocate and you will meet them at the court.

Please bring:

1. Your file of papers to the court with a stamped tenancy agreement
2. An up to date schedule of exactly how much rent you are owed

The judge should award you an order in their absence.

Normally it will take 6-10 weeks to get the court order, London courts can sometimes take a little longer.

We can serve many types of notices, the most common are:

1. Section 8 notice - a notice that tells the tenant he has 14 days to pay his rent or claim under grounds for nuisance, noise or breach of tenancy
2. Section 21 notice - this is a two-month notice that tells the tenant you are ending his agreement