Housing Act 1996

[F1Proceedings for possessionE+W

Proceedings for possessionE+W

143DProceedings for possessionE+W

(1)The landlord may only bring a demoted tenancy to an end by obtaining [F2—

(a)an order of the court for the possession of the dwelling-house, and

(b)the execution of the order.]

[F3(1A)In such a case, the tenancy ends when the order is executed.]

(2)The court must make an order for possession unless it thinks that the procedure under sections 143E and 143F has not been followed.

F4(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notice of proceedings for possessionE+W

143ENotice of proceedings for possessionE+W

(1)Proceedings for possession of a dwelling-house let under a demoted tenancy must not be brought unless the landlord has served on the tenant a notice of proceedings under this section.

(2)The notice must—

(a)state that the court will be asked to make an order for the possession of the dwelling-house;

(b)set out the reasons for the landlord’s decision to apply for the order;

(c)specify the date after which proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house may be begun;

(d)inform the tenant of his right to request a review of the landlord’s decision and of the time within which the request must be made.

(3)The date specified under subsection (2)(c) must not be earlier than the date on which the tenancy could (apart from this Chapter) be brought to an end by notice to quit given by the landlord on the same date as the notice of proceedings.

(4)The court must not entertain proceedings begun on or before the date specified under subsection (2)(c).

(5)The notice must also inform the tenant that if he needs help or advice—

(a)about the notice, or

(b)about what to do about the notice,

he must take the notice immediately to a Citizen’s Advice Bureau, a housing aid centre, a law centre or a solicitor.

[F5(6)In this section—

• “relevant notice period” means—

  (a)

  where the landlord has specified in the notice of proceedings an ASB reason for applying for a possession order (whether or not the landlord has any other reason), four weeks,

  (aa)

  where paragraph (a) does not apply and the landlord has specified in the notice of proceedings a reason for applying for a possession order which corresponds to Ground 5 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 (whether or not the landlord has any other reason), four weeks

  (b)

  where paragraphs (a) and (aa) do not apply and the landlord has specified in the notice of proceedings only a reason for applying for a possession order which corresponds to Ground 1 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 and at the time the notice is served —

  (i)

  at least four months’ rent is unpaid, four weeks,

  (ii)

  less than four months’ rent is unpaid, and the notice is served on or after 1 August 2021, two months, and

  (c)

  in any other case, four months;

• “ASB reason” means, in relation to a dwelling-house in England, a reason which corresponds to any of those set out in section 84A(3) to (7) of the Housing Act 1985 or Grounds 2, 2ZA and 2A of Schedule 2 to that Act and, in relation to a dwelling-house in Wales, a reason which corresponds to any of those set out in section 84A(3) to (7) of the Housing Act 1985 or Grounds 2 and 2A of Schedule 2 to that Act.]

Review of decision to seek possessionE+W

143FReview of decision to seek possessionE+W

(1)Before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of service of a notice for possession of a dwelling-house let under a demoted tenancy the tenant may request the landlord to review its decision to seek an order for possession.

(2)If a request is made in accordance with subsection (1) the landlord must review the decision.

(3)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the procedure to be followed in connection with a review under this section.

(4)The regulations may include provision—

(a)requiring the decision on review to be made by a person of appropriate seniority who was not involved in the original decision;

(b)as to the circumstances in which the tenant is entitled to an oral hearing, and whether and by whom he may be represented at the hearing.

(5)The landlord must notify the tenant—

(a)of the decision on the review;

(b)of the reasons for the decision.

(6)The review must be carried out and notice given under subsection (5) before the date specified in the notice of proceedings as the date after which proceedings for possession of the dwelling-house may be begun.

Effect of proceedings for possessionE+W

143GEffect of proceedings for possessionE+W

(1)This section applies if the landlord has begun proceedings for the possession of a dwelling-house let under a demoted tenancy and—

(a)the demotion period ends, or

(b)any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 143B(2) applies (circumstances in which a tenancy ceases to be a demoted tenancy).

(2)If any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 143B(2) applies the tenancy ceases to be a demoted tenancy but the landlord (or the new landlord as the case may be) may continue the proceedings.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if in accordance with subsection (2) a tenancy ceases to be a demoted tenancy and becomes a secure tenancy.

(4)The tenant is not entitled to exercise the right to buy unless—

(a)the proceedings are finally determined, and

(b)he is not required to give up possession of the dwelling-house.

(5)The proceedings must be treated as finally determined if—

(a)they are withdrawn;

(b)any appeal is abandoned;

(c)the time for appealing expires without an appeal being brought.]