Bailiff crisis pushes eviction delays into mid-2025
1 year ago | 9 comments
Possession Order Delay – Judge said 48 Hours, now facing 17-22 weeks wait?
12:01 AM, 1st April 2025, 1 year ago
10
Hi, I attended a possession hearing on 20th March, where the judge stated that the possession order would be issued within 24 hours and I should receive it within 48 hours. However, that has not happened.
I’m now away for two weeks, and if the order arrives in my absence, I effectively lose that time. The court is not responding to my emails, and the call center is telling me there’s a 17-22 week delay, which contradicts what was said in court.
I’ve had mixed feedback, some say that since both the landlord (me) and tenant were present at the hearing, I do not need a hard copy of the order, and the verbal order given on 20th March would be sufficient to apply for a Warrant of Execution (bailiffs). Others say that bailiffs would require a written order.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Can I proceed without the written order, or do I need to wait for it? Any advice on how to speed things up?
Thanks,
Jaz
Tags:
bailiff warrant process, court backlog, court order delay, eviction process, possession hearing, possession order delay, Tenant eviction
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Member Since August 2022 - Comments: 101
9:00 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
When applying for the Warrant of Possession (Form N325) to the bailiffs, you will need the Possession Order number from the court.
I wasn’t asked for a hard copy.
Have a look at form N325 (Request for Warrant of Possession). This is what you will need to fill out.
I still find it incredible that we have to jump through so many (expensive) hoops to get our own property back.
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 16
9:42 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 01/04/2025 – 09:00
Thanks for your input. You might have misunderstood, The Order should be issued as hard copy on court system whether received or not. You are correct that I do not need to attach hard copy but should it be on Court’s record as being issued? as currently the Court order is in draft mode and not on Court’s system and Bailiff will not be able to view it in draft form.
Member Since April 2017 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
9:46 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
For us, we got a possession order and that was for two weeks later. The letter confirming this to the tenant took about 13 weeks to get sent. I don’t consider we have a court system that works or is fit for purpose.
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 16
9:54 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Ross Tulloch at 01/04/2025 – 09:46
Thanks Ross this is encouraging. Are you saying once 14 days have elapsed since Court hearing I can apply Warrant of Execution whether Order issued or not? As this was 14 days possession order, granted on 20th Of March 2025.
Member Since April 2017 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
10:04 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Jaz Jaz at 01/04/2025 – 09:54
That I do not know. I am not sure it is encouraging at all. In my case I told the tenant that this was happening as he did not attend the hearing and luckily he left otherwise he would have been there for months till the letter came. But I don’t know the answer to your question
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 49
10:45 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Hi
The courts are part of the government.
It is my opinion that the government is interfering in the court system to restrict possession claims.
When the tenants are evicted they become homeless and the local authorities are obliged to help.
There is no accommodation, therefore there will be no evictions. The government is not concerned about rent arrears or other issues since these people have houses, therefore not local authorities concern.
The PRS has become social housing by default. This is why the courts will not issue the order. The excuses are just smoke and mirrors.
Regards
Stephen
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 49
10:49 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
By the way, Bailiffs will not act without the order, in writing, to be sent to them.
Mere promises by the court are irrelevant.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 49
11:00 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Ross Tulloch at 01/04/2025 – 10:04
Reply to Ross,
Possession order granted in my favour, advised as such by the court.
Did not send out the order.
Advised by the court staff that they had been told not to send out the order, (Judge?!)
I suggested to the judge that since the order had been made it was the tenants responsibility to appeal the order.
Nothing happened for 3 months, then a court hearing date as it was now “a contested” eviction since a defence had been filed!!!
Section 21, therefore providing documents are in order the is no defence.
Long and short of it, Civil Procedure Rules are irrelevant, judges do what they want!!!
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 755
11:07 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Justice delayed is justice denied – but not if you’re a PRS Landlord. Glad we’ve cleared that one up.
Member Since April 2017 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
11:24 AM, 1st April 2025, About 1 year ago
Does anybody know how long bailiffs normally take now? I’m with the Putney, London Court.