If you find yourself in a situation where you have been granted a possession order, it means that the court has given you the legal right to reclaim your property from someone who is occupying it unlawfully This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as failure to pay rent, breach of tenancy agreement, or any other violation of the terms of occupancy
However, just having a possession order is not the end of the process There are still several steps that you need to take in order to regain possession of your property effectively and legally Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do next after obtaining a possession order:
1 **Serve the Possession Order**: The first thing you need to do once you have a possession order is to serve it to the tenant in question This can be done by either a court-appointed bailiff or a process server The possession order will state the date by which the tenant needs to vacate the property, which is usually around 14 days after the order is granted.
2 **Check for Compliance**: After serving the possession order, you should check whether the tenant has complied with the order and vacated the property by the specified date If they have not, you may need to take further action to enforce the possession order.
3 **Enforcement**: If the tenant has not vacated the property by the specified date, you will need to apply for a warrant of possession This will allow the court bailiffs to evict the tenant from the property forcibly It is important to note that you should not attempt to evict the tenant yourself, as this could lead to legal repercussions.
4 **Contact the Court Bailiffs**: Once you have obtained a warrant of possession, you will need to contact the court bailiffs to schedule a date for the eviction i have a possession order what next. They will coordinate with you to carry out the eviction in a safe and legal manner.
5 **Eviction**: On the scheduled date, the court bailiffs will arrive at the property to carry out the eviction It is important to ensure that you or your representatives are present during the eviction to oversee the process and ensure that it is carried out smoothly.
6 **Take Possession of the Property**: Once the eviction has been successfully carried out, you can take possession of the property You may need to change the locks and secure the property to prevent any further unauthorized entry.
7 **Notify the Tenant**: After regaining possession of the property, you should notify the tenant in writing that they are no longer allowed to enter the premises You should also provide them with details on how they can retrieve any belongings they may have left behind.
8 **Secure the Property**: It is essential to secure the property after eviction to prevent any further access by the former tenant or any unauthorized individuals This may involve changing the locks, installing security systems, or boarding up the property if necessary.
9 **Seek Legal Advice**: If you encounter any difficulties during the eviction process or if the tenant refuses to vacate the property, it may be necessary to seek legal advice to explore your options and ensure that your rights as a landlord are protected.
Having a possession order is a significant step towards reclaiming your property from a tenant who is in breach of their tenancy agreement By following these steps and acting in accordance with the law, you can regain possession of your property effectively and legally Remember that it is essential to act within the confines of the law and to seek professional advice if needed to ensure a successful outcome.
So, if you have recently been granted a possession order, remember to follow these steps to regain control of your property and protect your rights as a landlord.