Seeking legal advice on Distress for Rent Act?

Our tenant (AST) in London gave us a valid break notice on June 20th, 20205, to leave our flat on August 20th, 2025.

However, he didn’t leave, doesn’t provide timing estimates on when he will vacate, hardly communicates, and hardly even uses the property!

My 19-year-old son and a flatmate were supposed to move into our property last week (to attend college in London this winter), and we are now having to pay Airbnbs for them instead, until who knows when.

I believe there are grounds for us to apply the Distress for Rent Act 1737 S18 on our tenant, as the tenant has served the notice in writing, we have accepted, and we have not asked nor taken any rent from him after August 20th.

I would be very grateful if anyone could advise a law firm that has experience in applying for Distress for Rent Act 1737 Section 18.

Thank you very much,

Lory

Editor’s note: One of the industry leaders in tenant eviction is Paul Shamplina’s Landlord Action. Please see >> https://www.property118.com/evicting-tenants/

The Distress for Rent Act >> https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apgb/Geo2/11/19/section/18

18. Tenants holding after the time they notify for quitting, to pay double rent.

And whereas great inconveniences have happened and may happen to landlords whose tenants have power to determine their leases, by giving notice to quit the premisses by them holden, and yet refusing to deliver up the possession when the landlord hath agreed with another tenant for the same: from and after the said twenty fourth day of June one thousand seven hundred and thirty eight, in case any tenant or tenants shall give notice of his, her, or their intention to quit the premisses by him, her, or them holden, at a time mentioned in such notice, and shall not accordingly deliver up the possession thereof at the time in such notice contained, that then the said tenant or tenants, his, her, or their executors or administrators, shall from thenceforward pay to the landlord or landlords, lessor or lessors, double the rent or sum which he, she, or they should otherwise have paid, to be levied, sued for, and recovered at the same times and in the same manner as the single rent or sum, before the giving such notice, could be levied, sued for, or recovered; and such double rent or sum shall continue to be paid during all the time such tenant or tenants shall continue in possession as aforesaid.