An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is a type of tenancy agreement between a landlord and tenant for the letting of a residential property on a short-term basis. An AST will grant landlord the right to take possession of their property after the fixed term period ends.
A landlord may seek to remove a tenant and terminate the AST before the fixed-term period expires by serving a Section 8 notice on the tenant.
Section 8 Notices are issued when a tenant has breached the terms of their AST. A landlord must rely on specific grounds outlined in law, with some carrying carry greater weight and a higher chance of obtaining possession.
Section 21 Notices allow a landlord to regain possession without need to prove the tenant is at fault. There are no grounds required for issuing a Section 21 Notice but there are specific statutory obligations which must be complied with to ensure a valid Section 21 Notice is served. To find out more, get in contact with us and one of our team will be able to assist you.
If a tenant remains in the property beyond the date specified by their AST, the landlord should apply to the court for an eviction order using the accelerated possession proceedings. This streamlined process typically bypasses hearings, enabling the landlord to regain possession more quickly and accommodate a new tenant sooner.
Landlords may encounter issues with tenants, for example: non-payment of rent; or unauthorised alterations without the landlord’s consent. Seeking advice on potential remedies can help to maintain a good relationship with tenants.