Sec 21 issued, 1 tenant leaves, 1 stays?

Sec 21 issued, 1 tenant leaves, 1 stays?

0:02 AM, 8th March 2023, About A year ago 22

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Hi, I have been a landlord for 20 years and am now selling all my properties, one a year, as I’ve had enough of the way things are going against the private landlord.

I have done evictions in the past but have now come up against a situation new to me, so would appreciate advice from those of you with experience of the following.

I have issued a section 21 to a couple who have been with me for several years. The notice requires them to leave on the 20th of this month.

They know it is because I’m selling as I told them 18 months ago, hoping they would leave earlier and save me the trouble of eviction.

One of the tenants has found a place and is moving out on the 15th, but says the partner is staying on as advised by the council.

My question is: As one person has left the property, does the tenancy end automatically when the S21 notice is up on the 20th?

Can I tell the other tenant to be out as I’m coming to change the locks, no matter what the council says, or do I have to continue through the court system and bailiffs?

Thanks for any lawful advice,

R


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Comments

Donata Di stazio

16:37 PM, 9th March 2023, About A year ago

Contact City advices bureau. Asp. Bring them you tenancy agreement, copy of notice served and proof of posting. Did you serve notice to both of them! (as names appear on agreement) Situations vary dipend on circumstance. If the notice wasent served according to ur circumstance you might need a new one.Do not enter or change lock even with court order.

Robin Hood

0:28 AM, 10th March 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 08/03/2023 - 15:30
Once the notice period expires you should go to the county court and go through the usual eviction process. It is best not to change the locks as this would be an unlawful eviction without a court order followed by a bailiffs warrant of eviction. The council will almost certainly attempt to prosecute you if you simply change the locks and you could be fined heavily and be sent to prison. The council's advice to the tenant to stay put is a little irresponsible as they don't seem to understand the Housing Act. If once the county court gives the court order ordering the tenant to leave the property normally with 28 days, if you then made an application to have the case transferred to the High Court for enforcement, unlike the county court bailiffs, the High Court bailiffs could simply turn without giving a date for eviction and give the tenant an hour to leave so very messy for the tenant. Both tenants should have left together

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