Instructing court bailiffs after possession granted from violent tenant?
We should shortly be instructing court bailiffs after a possession was granted. I`ve not been in this position before, so I would appreciate advice from any landlords with experience here.
I have heard that sometimes bailiffs are not successful in an eviction, as they will not use force, and a tenant can refuse to move unless they are physically moved. Is this correct?
What happens about possessions? If left in the property, they give the tenant a reason to want to return. We have nowhere to store them, except perhaps a communal hallway, and as the tenant is vicious and violent and loves destroying property, we don`t want him anywhere on the premises.
After he has left, we can video and have proof of the damage we know he is already causing, as well as not paying rent. But what can we do? Suing him for criminal damage is a legally expensive route, and as he is a “paper” tenant, we would only be throwing more money away. That is in addition to (we expect) the court awarding us legal costs, which we do not expect will ever be paid.
On a practical note, what can one do about such useless wastes of space who only enjoy destroying other people’s hard-earned businesses?
Thank you.
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Can new tenants just cancel and walk away?
Member Since July 2024 - Comments: 112
3:20 AM, 1st March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Simpson at 28/02/2026 – 19:54
Wow horrible experience, did you manage to get a CCJ? Good idea to sell up…all said and done the return on property does not stack up… its 2%
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 4
12:22 PM, 2nd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Can somone please guide me towards a good solicitor or firm to use Section 21 to evict my tenants. My property is in hertfordshire.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 402
12:25 PM, 2nd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Jill at 23/02/2026 – 13:25
Well no. An abandonment form is an urban myth. It may be evidence to support a defence. Bit it is not a defence on itself
Member Since June 2015 - Comments: 193
11:33 AM, 6th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Basit Ghafoor at 02/03/2026 – 12:22You could try Steven Conway at Landlords Lawyer in Radlett.
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 4
11:59 AM, 6th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Simon Lever – Chartered Accountant helping clients get the best returns from their properties at 06/03/2026 – 11:33
Thank you for the information, Simon. Really appreciated.
Member Since July 2024 - Comments: 112
4:39 AM, 7th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Basit Ghafoor at 02/03/2026 – 12:22
Mark Dawson AST, easy to find him on Facebook, we used him, Eviction Specialist , don’t use a Solicitor
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 402
5:01 AM, 7th March 2026, About 1 month ago
If you have everything in place you do not need a solicitor. N5b form is a checklist. Just make sure everything is in place