Bailiffs – Third time lucky?

Bailiffs – Third time lucky?

by Readers Question

Guest Author

0:09 AM, 18th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago 17

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Hi, I have had a tenant for 10 years who was in rental arrears in 2022. After obtaining a possession order and bailiffs writ of eviction the tenant pleaded to be allowed to stay and said they would pay up.

I allowed the tenant to stay but by August 2023 they had not finished paying up so I activated the bailiffs again.

This was taken to court and the tenant was given till December 2023 to pay by the judge. They didn’t although they had paid over 70 percent at the time in December, but had not fully cleared it.

Now the tenants have entered into a breathing space which expired but before the breathing space ended they repaid in full all arrears.

I would like to evict after the long arrears issue as I don’t want this stress anymore.

If I get the bailiffs again would it be illegal?

Mike


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Comments

Mike L

21:28 PM, 18th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Lee Day at 18/06/2024 - 18:06
The general terms was to pay by December 2023, they didn't finish paying by December 2023 but have already finished paying before I got another warrant. The tenant doesn't seem like the type to just move and I'm guessing it would be taken to court just wanted to know my options. They keep arguing they've been here over 10 years and even though rent was increased they still finished paying up the arrears whilst paying higher rent.

GlanACC

8:27 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Mike L at 18/06/2024 - 21:28Very few tenants issues with a s21 are the 'type to move'. Now you have a possession order you could always use High Court Sheriffs to remove them.
In fact as you have left it so long since the possession order was granted the tenant could easily argue you have created a new implicit tenancy, especially as they have accepted an increase in rent.
What you should have done after the S21 notice period expired was to book any 'rent' received as MESNE profits and make this clear to the tenants that they were in breach.
This is taken from Shelters website -
Mesne profits
When a former tenant remains in occupation after a tenancy has been terminated, a landlord can claim money from them for continued use of the premises. These payments are known as mesne profits. The amount of mesne profits payable is usually equivalent to the rent that the former tenant was paying. Mesne profits do not count as 'rent' and as such a landlord is not creating a new tenancy by accepting such payments.
ALSO , consider this (also taken from the Shelter website)
Double rent
In the event that a tenant remains in occupation as a trespasser after the valid notice to quit they served takes effect, the landlord can claim ‘double rent’ (in the form of mesne profits or damages for use and occupation) for the period the former tenant remains in occupation.[5] This will apply where a joint tenant has unilaterally ended the joint tenancy by serving a valid notice to quit and the other tenant stays in the property.
The landlord can only claim double rent if they do not give the former tenant permission to remain and treats the former tenant as a trespasser.

Jonathan Willis

8:35 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 19/06/2024 - 08:27
Double rent (mensi profits) under the distress of rent act 1737, only applies if the tenant gives notice, not the landlord.

When a tenant gives notice, the tenancy ends and they become an overstay. When a landlord does it it, they still need possession order and eviction to end the tenancy.

GlanACC

8:41 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Jonathan Willis at 19/06/2024 - 08:35
Again, I will quote
Mesne profits will apply -
the tenant has had a notice to quit served on him, or has done something which will entitle the landlord to forfeit the tenancy.

IE an S21 has been issued and the tenant has not left

Jonathan Willis

9:08 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 19/06/2024 - 08:41
An s21 is a notice to seek possession, it does not end a tenancy.

GlanACC

9:14 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

I stand corrected. Yes you must go to court to enforce an S21 (and S8) and the judge gives a possession date which ends the tenancy (ended in effect by the court)

Jonathan Willis

9:22 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 19/06/2024 - 09:14
Almost, a possession order will give the tenant a final opportunity to volentarily leave the property, or set out terms to allow them to stay (suspended possession order). If they don't leave, the landlord applies to the court for enforcement via baliffs, aka eviction. The tenancy still remains in effect at this point.

A tenancy only ends when the tenant leaves volentarily or are evicted by baliffs. I.e. the landlord has regained legal possession of the property. Even with a possession order a landlord cannot themselves get possession, that's still an illegal eviction which is criminal, landlord must go via the court and use baliffs.

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