When it comes to being a landlord, there are times when you may need to take legal action to regain possession of your property from a tenant who is not complying with the terms of their tenancy agreement One option available to landlords in the UK is an Accelerated Possession Order, which allows them to regain possession of their property without the need for a court hearing While this can be a quicker and more cost-effective option than other routes, it is important for landlords to be aware of the costs associated with obtaining an Accelerated Possession Order.
The first cost that landlords will need to consider when seeking an Accelerated Possession Order is the court fee As of 2021, the court fee for applying for an Accelerated Possession Order is £355 This fee must be paid upfront when submitting the application to the court It is important to note that this fee is subject to change, so landlords should check with the court or seek legal advice to confirm the current fee before proceeding.
In addition to the court fee, landlords may also incur legal fees when seeking an Accelerated Possession Order While landlords are not required to have legal representation to apply for an Accelerated Possession Order, many choose to seek the assistance of a solicitor to ensure that the application is completed correctly and to increase the chances of success Legal fees can vary depending on the solicitor and the complexity of the case, so it is important for landlords to obtain quotes and agree on fees upfront to avoid any unexpected costs.
Another potential cost associated with obtaining an Accelerated Possession Order is the cost of serving the necessary notices on the tenant Before applying for an Accelerated Possession Order, landlords must first serve a Section 21 notice on the tenant to inform them that possession of the property is being sought accelerated possession order cost. If the tenant does not vacate the property within the specified time frame, a formal application for an Accelerated Possession Order can be made Landlords can serve the notice themselves, but they may choose to hire a professional process server to ensure that the notice is served correctly and in compliance with the law.
Once the Accelerated Possession Order has been granted by the court, landlords may still incur additional costs if the tenant fails to vacate the property voluntarily If the tenant remains in the property after the possession order has expired, landlords may need to apply for a warrant of possession to have the tenant evicted by bailiffs The cost of obtaining a warrant of possession can vary, but landlords should budget for this additional expense if the tenant does not comply with the court order.
In some cases, landlords may also need to consider the cost of repairing any damage caused by the tenant before re-letting the property If the tenant has caused damage beyond fair wear and tear, landlords may need to make repairs or replacements to bring the property back to a suitable condition for future tenants The cost of repairs can vary depending on the extent of the damage, so landlords should conduct a thorough inspection of the property and obtain quotes from contractors to determine the cost of repairs.
Overall, while an Accelerated Possession Order can be a faster and more cost-effective option for landlords seeking to regain possession of their property, it is important to be aware of the potential costs involved From court fees and legal fees to the cost of serving notices and potential repairs, landlords should carefully consider all expenses associated with obtaining an Accelerated Possession Order before pursuing this legal option By planning and budgeting for these costs in advance, landlords can ensure a smoother and more successful outcome in regaining possession of their property.