Court order
A court order is a formal, legally binding decision made by a judge. In the PRS it most often appears as a possession order or money judgment in relation to an assured tenancy or other private tenancy.
From a landlord’s perspective, a court order is usually needed when you cannot regain possession or resolve a dispute by agreement. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, once “no-fault” routes are removed you normally must:
Serve the correct notice relying on one or more statutory grounds / possession grounds.
Issue a claim in the county court if the tenant does not leave at the end of tenancy.
Ask the court for a possession order and, if necessary, a warrant so bailiffs can lawfully evict.
You may also seek court orders for:
Unpaid rent payments or other sums due under the tenancy conditions.
Injunctions to tackle serious anti-social behaviour or secure access for repairs.
Decisions by the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or a council, for example a civil penalty notice or banning order, are not court orders, though they can influence how a court views your case and may themselves be enforced through the courts.
Ignoring a court order can lead to enforcement action, extra costs and serious damage to your position as a private landlord.
Also see our landlord blog articles, including:
