An accelerated possession order is a legal process used by landlords in England and Wales to regain control of their property when a tenant has failed to vacate after their tenancy agreement has ended This procedure allows landlords to seek possession of their property without the need for a court hearing, making it considerably quicker than the standard possession route.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to apply for an accelerated possession order, it’s natural to wonder how long the process will take While every case is unique and timelines can vary, this article will provide a general overview of the typical timeframe involved in obtaining an accelerated possession order.
1 Serving Notice
The first step in seeking an accelerated possession order 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 typically gives them two months to vacate The time it takes for the tenant to respond to this notice can impact the overall timeline of the accelerated possession order process.
2 Submitting the Application
After the expiration of the Section 21 notice period, landlords can submit their application for an accelerated possession order to the court This application includes a completed N5B form along with any supporting documentation, such as the original tenancy agreement and proof of service of the Section 21 notice The court will review the application and, if everything is in order, issue an order for possession.
3 Court Processing Time
Once the court receives the application for an accelerated possession order, they will process it and issue the order for possession The time it takes for the court to process the application can vary depending on factors such as the court’s caseload and any discrepancies in the documentation provided accelerated possession order how long. In some cases, landlords may receive the possession order within a few weeks of submitting their application.
4 Serving the Possession Order
After the court issues the possession order, landlords must serve it on the tenant The tenant will typically be given a date by which they must vacate the property, which is usually around 14 days from the date of service If the tenant fails to leave by this date, the landlord can apply for a warrant of possession to have them forcibly removed from the property.
5 County Court Bailiff
If the tenant still refuses to vacate the property after the expiration of the possession order, landlords may need to enlist the help of the county court bailiff to carry out the eviction The landlord must request an appointment for the bailiff to attend the property and oversee the eviction process The timeframe for scheduling a bailiff appointment can vary depending on the availability of court resources.
In general, the entire process of obtaining an accelerated possession order can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the specific circumstances of each case It’s essential for landlords to stay on top of the process and ensure they follow all the necessary steps to avoid any delays.
While accelerated possession orders offer a faster route to regaining possession of a property compared to the standard possession route, it’s crucial for landlords to be aware of the potential challenges and obstacles they may encounter along the way By understanding the process and being prepared for any unexpected delays, landlords can navigate the accelerated possession order process more effectively and ensure a successful outcome.
In conclusion, the timeline for obtaining an accelerated possession order can vary depending on several factors, including serving notice, court processing time, serving the possession order, and scheduling a bailiff appointment Landlords should be proactive in managing the process and following the necessary steps to minimize delays and successfully regain possession of their property.