Accelerated Possession Orders (APO) are a legal process that allows landlords to quickly regain possession of a property from a tenant without the need for a court hearing This can be a useful tool for landlords who are dealing with difficult tenants or tenants who have not paid their rent However, many landlords are unsure of how long the process takes and what exactly is involved In this article, we will discuss the timeline for obtaining an accelerated possession order and what landlords can expect throughout the process.
The first step in obtaining an APO is to serve the tenant with a Section 21 notice This notice informs the tenant that the landlord intends to take possession of the property and gives them a minimum of two months’ notice to vacate Once the Section 21 notice has been served, the landlord must wait until the notice period has expired before applying for an APO.
After the notice period has ended, the landlord can apply to the court for an accelerated possession order This can typically be done online or by filling out a paper form and submitting it to the court The court will then review the application and, if everything is in order, will issue the possession order.
One of the main benefits of an accelerated possession order is that it typically takes between 4-8 weeks to be issued by the court This is much quicker than the traditional possession order process, which can take several months or even years to complete accelerated possession order how long. The accelerated possession order is designed to be a fast-track process for straightforward possession cases, so as long as the paperwork is in order, the process should move quickly.
Once the possession order has been issued, the tenant will be given a minimum of 14 days to vacate the property If the tenant fails to leave by this deadline, the landlord can apply to the court for a warrant of possession This warrant allows the landlord to have the tenant forcibly removed from the property by a court bailiff.
It is important to note that the timeline for obtaining an accelerated possession order can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case If the tenant defends the possession order or raises any counterclaims, the process may be delayed as the court will need to hold a hearing to determine the outcome Additionally, if there are any errors in the paperwork or the landlord fails to follow the correct procedure, this can also cause delays in obtaining the possession order.
Ultimately, the length of time it takes to obtain an accelerated possession order will depend on how quickly the landlord can complete the necessary paperwork and how efficiently the court processes the application Landlords who are experienced in the possession order process and ensure that all the paperwork is in order from the start are more likely to have a smoother and quicker experience.
In conclusion, an accelerated possession order can be a valuable tool for landlords looking to regain possession of their property quickly The process typically takes between 4-8 weeks from start to finish, assuming that everything goes smoothly and there are no complications By following the correct procedures and ensuring that all the necessary paperwork is completed accurately, landlords can increase their chances of obtaining an accelerated possession order in a timely manner.