When it comes to regaining possession of a property let out on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, landlords often find themselves in need of an accelerated possession order This legal process allows landlords to expedite the eviction of tenants who are not abiding by the terms of their tenancy agreement However, obtaining an accelerated possession order can come with a significant financial burden In this article, we will delve into the costs associated with obtaining an accelerated possession order and offer some insights on how landlords can navigate these expenses.
The first cost that landlords will encounter when pursuing an accelerated possession order is the court fee As of 2021, the court fee for issuing an accelerated possession order stands at £355 This fee must be paid upfront when submitting the application to the court It is essential for landlords to factor in this cost when budgeting for the eviction process Failure to pay the court fee will result in the application being rejected, and the landlord will have to start the process over, incurring additional costs.
In addition to the court fee, landlords may also need to consider legal fees While landlords have the option to represent themselves in court, many choose to seek the assistance of a solicitor to navigate the legal complexities of obtaining an accelerated possession order Solicitor fees can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the solicitor’s hourly rate Landlords should obtain quotes from different solicitors to ensure they are getting a fair price for legal representation.
Another cost to be aware of is the cost of serving the eviction notice Before applying for an accelerated possession order, landlords must serve their tenants with a Section 21 notice This notice informs the tenant that the landlord intends to repossess the property and gives them a set amount of time to vacate accelerated possession order cost. Landlords can serve the Section 21 notice themselves or enlist the services of a professional process server The cost of serving the Section 21 notice will depend on whether the landlord chooses to serve it themselves or hire a process server.
Once the accelerated possession order has been granted by the court, landlords may incur additional costs related to the eviction itself This can include hiring bailiffs to physically remove the tenant from the property if they refuse to leave voluntarily The cost of hiring bailiffs can vary, so landlords should obtain quotes from different bailiff companies to ensure they are getting the best deal.
In some cases, tenants may challenge the accelerated possession order, leading to additional legal costs for the landlord If the tenant raises a defense or counterclaim, the landlord may need to attend a court hearing to resolve the dispute This can result in further solicitor fees and court costs Landlords should be prepared for the possibility of facing additional expenses if the eviction process becomes prolonged due to tenant objections.
It is important for landlords to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with obtaining an accelerated possession order before embarking on the eviction process By budgeting for court fees, legal fees, and other related costs upfront, landlords can avoid any unexpected financial burdens during the eviction process Landlords should also consider seeking advice from a legal professional to ensure they are fully informed about the potential costs involved in obtaining an accelerated possession order.
In conclusion, obtaining an accelerated possession order can be a costly process for landlords From court fees to legal representation, serving eviction notices to hiring bailiffs, the expenses can quickly add up Landlords should carefully consider the financial implications of pursuing an accelerated possession order and budget accordingly to avoid any financial strain By being well-informed about the costs associated with an accelerated possession order, landlords can navigate the eviction process more effectively and ensure a successful outcome.