1. Contact the Tenant’s Guarantor
If the tenant is not responding to any communications, the first step is to contact their guarantor (if one was provided). The guarantor is legally responsible for covering rent arrears and may help resolve the issue without further action.
2. Begin Eviction Proceedings
If the tenant has fallen into more than two months of rent arrears, you can serve a Section 8 notice. This notice informs the tenant that their tenancy is being terminated due to a breach of the tenancy agreement—specifically, non-payment of rent.
3. Apply for a Possession Order
If the tenant fails to pay the arrears or vacate the property within the two-week notice period, you can apply to the court for a possession order. This is given by the court, meaning that it is legally binding.
4. Apply for a warrant of possession
If the tenant still does not comply, you can then request a warrant for possession, authorising court-appointed bailiffs to carry out the eviction and recover possession of the property.
