The number of tenants evicted from rental properties this year is set to be the highest since records began, according to recent statistics released by the government.
Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that over 11,000 people were evicted in the first quarter of 2015, which is a 51% rise on the same period five years ago.
In 2014, 42,000 people were evicted from rented properties, a figure which at the time represented a new high since records began in 2000.
The figures, which relate to England and Wales only, represent an 8% rise on the same period in 2014, and are therefore on course to break last year’s record.
Charities such as Shelter blame welfare cuts and rising housing costs for the increase in the rate of eviction, but when talking to Channel 4 News, Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the National Landlords Association (NLA), emphasised that repossession is always a last resort for landlords.
He said:
"A landlord will always aim for good, stable, long-term tenancies and repossession just doesn't make good business sense. Repossessions mean additional costs for landlords in the form of court costs, loss of rent, letting agents' charges and local empty property charges."
Repossessing Your Property
Evicting tenants can be a complicated process, and it’s important to remember that you may be guilty of harassing or illegally evicting your tenants if you don’t follow the correct procedures.
It’s for this reason that before you begin the eviction process, we advise seeking the advice of one of our solicitors here at Howells. We can provide you with a fast and cost-effective service, enabling you to regain possession of your property without delay.
Grounds for Eviction
If you wish to evict your tenants during the period of their tenancy, certain statutory grounds must be met. These fall under two categories, ‘discretionary’ or ‘mandatory’.
Discretionary grounds include:
• Some rent arrears
• Persistent late payment of rent
• Breach of tenancy agreements
• Antisocial behaviour
• Damage to the property
If one of these grounds is met, the court may carry out a repossession order if they deem it’s reasonable.
Mandatory grounds include:
• More than two months’ rent arrears owing
• Repossession by your mortgage lender
• Intended redevelopment of your property
• Antisocial behaviour (if the tenant has been convicted of this in court)
If you can prove that mandatory grounds exist, the court must make a possession order. This will end your tenant’s legal right to live in your property.
Eviction Help from Howells Solicitors
Regaining possession of a property doesn’t have to be stressful, providing you go about it correctly. Our expert team has a wealth of experience in Landlord Tenant Law, and can assist you throughout the process.
For more information on how we can help, click here.
