Q: How Do I Evict a Non-Paying Tenant?

How do I evict a non-paying tenant?

A: As a landlord it is within your legal right to begin eviction proceedings if your tenant has not paid their rent for more than 2 months. However, it is important that from their first month of falling behind that you issue them with a rent arrears reminder form/letter to prove to the courts that you have done everything within your power to collect this rent.

In the letter it is important that you outline the amount of rent outstanding and when it is due. Similarly, I recommend using recorded delivery when sending this reminder to act as documented proof that your tenant has been contacted about their rental arrears.

Once you have sent this letter to your tenant twice, and they are more than 2 months in arrears, you are safe to issue them with a Section 8 where your tenant will have 14 days to respond, either by paying their overdue rent or moving out of your property...

Within the Section 8 itself you will find 10 grounds which can be used to explain your reason for eviction. If your tenant has broken more than 1 of the terms within your Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, this form is your opportunity to highlight it.

Hopefully, this Section 8 should be enough to make your tenant pay their rent or leave your property; however should your tenant continue to refuse to leave you can begin court proceedings against them.