The government has always tried to strike the balance between protecting landlords and tenants equally. On one hand, there is no desire to leave tenants homeless at the same time as protecting a property owner’s right to demand that a contract is honoured reasonably. But eviction is a lengthy and expensive process that many would prefer to avoid until all other avenues have been exhausted. Now, a major study by landlord insurers suggests that eviction takes 17 weeks. That’s particularly problematic for short-term leases such as student lets.
Some Quick Statistics
Luckily, eviction is relatively rare. In 2017, just half of one percent of UK landlords pursued eviction against problem tenants. One-third of that number (one-sixth of one percent) took the process to the end and called in the bailiffs. London had the highest rates of eviction while the southwest had the lowest. It’s also expensive with the average insurance claim for eviction support in the region of $4,300. Therefore, it’s always best to pursue mutually-beneficial resolution.
Talk to the Tenant
Before going in with a heavy hand to threaten eviction, it’s best to do everything you can to meet with them face to face to understand the cause of the problem and what may be done to alleviate it. If there are money problems (as can usually be the case with students) they will have a guarantor. Suggest they contact their guarantor for financial help. In the case of students, this is usually one or both parents. Avoid going to the guarantor until it’s likely engaging with the tenants proves fruitless and perhaps consider doing this only after meeting them in person and sending a formal letter setting out the problem.
Mediation Services
One aspect of the modern rental environment is mediation services. that you might first try before considering evicting a non-paying or non-cooperative tenant. They are an impartial service used in neighbour disputes and those between the property owner and tenant(s). A kind of a counsellor, their remit is to listen to both sides in a dispute and come up with a workable solution. They are much cheaper than hiring a solicitor and won’t require pursuit of eviction. Many landlords have successfully used these services.
Court Resolution
When all other avenues have failed, it’s time to pursue court proceedings. But there is still a way to go before you are able to evict. Going to court can be costly, time-consuming, and have certain procedures and steps required before you will be granted permission to evict. It is still not too late to come to a resolution with the tenant and sometimes the idea of going to court is the wake-up call that one or both parties need to come to a mutual resolution before the final step.