I can’t now get my property back through formal eviction?
I originally allowed my ex-sister-in-law to use my property I was refurbishing as she became homeless with her children. Now I can’t get her out and need help.
She has refused me access to the premises for the last 18 months and systematically destroyed the interior.
I finally had the spare cash to go through a formal eviction (Section 21 pre 30/04), which she has defended. On top of this, she has also called on environmental health, who have slapped me with a huge list of required fixes.
Whilst environmental health is sympathetic to my issues, I still have to show I’m willing to do the fixes.
Now the tenant is demanding names, details and public liability certificates for anyone I take to the property to do the fixes.
Can she do this?
Rachel
6 comments on this article
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3462 - Articles: 286
9:56 AM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Dear Rachel, I am sorry to hear of your situation.
I would recommend you make contact with Paul Shamplina’s Landlord Action >> https://www.property118.com/evicting-tenants/
A specialist like them will nearly always save you time and money.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1370
5:04 PM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
You say “allowed her to use the property”, but I assume you charged her rent or something equivalent, otherwise she doesn’t have a tenancy.
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 109
8:01 PM, 14th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
i am sorry to read this, I feel for you
Details matter,
Please provide as much info as you are able / feel comfortable to do
How did she become is a tenant, rather than just lent a room / property…
Who gave her access / keys, any formal or informal agreements, verbal or on paper?
Did you (shudder) go to the Police (Do not) waste your time
I hope you get this sorted
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 74
11:08 PM, 15th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
There is no point asking what to do on a forum like this, there simply isn’t enough information here, and I very much suspect there is a whole load of stuff you have not mentioned?
Get legal advice and do what you have to do to get her out, your a victim of your own kindness, don’t make the same mistake twice.
Member Since December 2025 - Comments: 33
8:41 PM, 19th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Disillusioned Landlord at 15/09/2026 – 23:08
I endorse what Disillusioned Landlord said.
Do NOT use this forum for anything at all. We are all well-meaning people and some of us are very experienced but in your situation the only advice we can sensibly give you is to employ an experienced specialist.
Do NOT instruct a general practice solicitor, find someone who knows exactly what they are doing and can demonstrate successful outcomes of previous cases.
Member Since February 2022 - Comments: 5
1:55 PM, 21st September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
I am in a basically identical situation (except it’s not my sister-in-law). Served the Section 21 while it was still an option and waiting for the court to come back to me. He’s also defending it and has gone to Environmental Health to try and get Improvement Notices served to me. Strictly speaking, any improvement notice served AFTER the Section 21 was served does not stop eviction. But given they are going to defend the eviction (and if they are granted a hearing) they will want the notice(s) to wave about in court anyway. Can I ask what grounds they are defending the Section 21?