How much does an eviction service cost?

Evicting a tenant in the UK can be a stressful and costly experience, with expenses often ranging from £1,000 to £3,000. The total eviction service cost depends on factors like court fees, bailiff services, and solicitor charges. Whether you’re dealing with a difficult situation for the first time or are familiar with the process, understanding the costs and steps involved can make the experience smoother and more manageable.

Let’s break down the tenant eviction process, what’s involved, and why planning ahead can save you time, money, and stress.

What is the eviction process?

The eviction process in the UK follows several key legal steps, and it’s important to get them right. It starts with serving a written notice to quit, which must be done properly. The notice period depends on how long the tenant has lived in the property:

• For tenants living there for less than six months, landlords must give at least one month’s notice.
• For tenants in the property longer than six months, at least 84 days’ notice is required.

If the tenant doesn’t leave after the notice period, landlords can apply for a possession order through the court. If the tenant still refuses to vacate, the landlord may need to enforce the order through bailiffs.

There are different types of possession orders:

• Outright Possession Order: Requires the tenant to leave by a specific date, usually 14–28 days after the court hearing.
• Suspended Possession Order: Allows the tenant to stay if they resolve issues, such as paying overdue rent.
• Postponed Possession Order: This doesn’t set a fixed eviction date but gives landlords the option to request one if the tenant breaches conditions.

For quicker cases, landlords can use an accelerated possession order, which skips the court hearing if there are no rent arrears and the tenant hasn’t left by the notice date.

Common reasons for tenant eviction include unpaid rent, antisocial behaviour, or a break clause in the tenancy agreement. Before taking legal steps, it’s worth trying to resolve disputes amicably – such as agreeing on a repayment plan for rent arrears – to save time and money.

Why tenant eviction might be the best solution

While eviction should be a last resort, it’s sometimes necessary for landlords to protect their property and financial interests. Issues like severe rent arrears, property damage, or breaches of the tenancy agreement can leave landlords with little choice but to pursue eviction.

Using the correct legal process ensures the landlord’s rights are protected and helps to avoid unnecessary delays or complications. Whether you need to issue a Section 8 eviction notice for rent arrears or a Section 21 notice to regain possession at the end of a fixed term, understanding your options is essential.

The eviction service cost

The eviction service cost in the UK can vary depending on the legal route taken and the complexity of the case. On average, landlords can expect to pay between £1,000 and £3,000 to complete the eviction process. These costs typically include:

• Court fees: A standard possession order costs £355, while an accelerated possession order is £275.
• Warrant for possession: If the tenant doesn’t leave after the possession order, applying for a warrant costs £130.
• Bailiff services: Additional costs apply if bailiffs are required to remove the tenant.
• Solicitor fees: Hiring legal representation increases the overall cost but can ensure the process goes smoothly and is handled correctly.

While eviction can be expensive, following the correct procedure helps avoid delays and potential legal issues. For landlords unsure about navigating this process on their own, working with a professional eviction service or legal expert can ease the stress and provide peace of mind.

Who pays court costs during the eviction process?

Understanding who is responsible for eviction service costs is an important part of planning for tenant eviction. In most cases, landlords are responsible for their own court fees and legal expenses. However, there are situations where tenants may be required to cover some or all of the costs.

These scenarios include:

• If the tenancy agreement has a clause specifying that tenants must pay eviction-related court costs.
• If the tenant has acted unreasonably, leading to additional costs for the landlord.
• If the judge awards a possession order with costs in the landlord’s favour.

When a judge awards costs to the landlord, they may be able to reclaim fixed expenses such as:

• Court fees (£325–£355).
• Judgment costs (around £57).
• Costs on commencement (£15–£77).

If the tenant’s unreasonable behaviour has added to the landlord’s expenses during the eviction process, the court may increase the amount the landlord can recover. However, these reimbursements typically only cover fixed costs, not the full eviction service cost, unless the tenancy agreement explicitly allows for recovery of legal fees.

How can landlords recover court costs from a tenant?

Recovering court costs from a tenant isn’t always straightforward. If the tenancy agreement doesn’t specifically allow for the recovery of legal expenses, landlords often use service charges to recoup some costs.

Service charges are payments tenants make for property maintenance, repairs, and insurance. If permitted by the tenancy agreement, landlords can include legal costs from the tenant eviction process as part of these charges.
For disputes under £10,000, service charge claims are typically handled through the small claims track, a court process for resolving minor civil issues. While this option can help, having a clear clause in the tenancy agreement about cost recovery is the best way to ensure landlords are protected.

Wondering if you can get help with court fees? Many landlord insurance policies can include legal protection as an add-on, helping you cover the costs if you end up taking a tenant to court.

At CIA Landlords, we make it easy to find the right insurance for your needs. Protect your rental property and yourself with comprehensive landlord insurance that includes legal expenses cover. Get a quote today or call 01788 818 670.