When it comes to dealing with problematic tenants who refuse to vacate a property, landlords often turn to the legal system for help One common tool at their disposal is an Accelerated Possession Order (APO), which allows them to regain possession of their property quickly and efficiently However, many landlords are left wondering just how long the process takes In this article, we will explore the timeline of obtaining an accelerated possession order and what landlords can expect along the way.
The first step in obtaining an APO is serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice This notice informs the tenant that the landlord wishes to regain possession of the property and gives them a minimum of two months to vacate Once this notice period has expired, the landlord can proceed with applying for an APO through the court.
The application for an APO is typically made using the online possession claim service The landlord will need to provide all relevant documentation, including the Section 21 notice, the tenancy agreement, and any other relevant evidence to support their claim Once the application has been submitted, the court will review the case and decide whether to grant the APO.
The court will usually make a decision on the application within 14 days of receiving it If the application is successful, the court will issue an order for possession, which will typically give the tenant 14 days to vacate the property However, it is important to note that the tenant may apply to have the order set aside or suspended, which could delay the process.
Assuming the tenant does not contest the possession order, the landlord can then apply for a warrant of possession This is a document that authorizes a bailiff to evict the tenant if they have not vacated the property by the specified date accelerated possession order how long. The warrant of possession is typically issued within a few days of the application being made.
Once the warrant of possession has been issued, the bailiff will attend the property on the specified date to carry out the eviction The tenant will be given a final opportunity to vacate the property voluntarily before the bailiff takes action If the tenant still refuses to leave, the bailiff has the authority to physically remove them from the property.
In total, the process of obtaining an APO and evicting a tenant can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the specifics of the case While the process is designed to be as efficient as possible, there are certain factors that can cause delays For example, if the tenant contests the possession order or if there are any issues with the paperwork, the process may take longer.
It is also worth noting that the timeline for obtaining an APO can vary depending on the court system in which the application is made Some courts may be able to process applications more quickly than others, so landlords should be prepared for potential differences in timelines.
In conclusion, while the process of obtaining an APO and evicting a tenant can be relatively quick, there are still several steps involved that can cause delays Landlords should be prepared for the process to take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the specifics of the case By understanding the timeline and being prepared for potential delays, landlords can successfully regain possession of their property and move forward with finding a new tenant