We know that reading about court action can feel worrying. We want to reassure you from the start that this is always a last resort and we will do everything we can to avoid it.
Our priority is always to help you stay in your home. We’ll work with you as early as possible, listen to what’s going on, and do everything we reasonably can to sort things out together. This might include support, advice, referrals to other services, or working with you on a plan to resolve issues.
We would only consider going to court when other options have not worked or are no longer possible.
There are times when the law allows a landlord to ask a court to end a tenancy. These reasons are known in legal terms as grounds for possession.
We would only ever use these reasons after carefully considering your individual circumstances. This includes your health, wellbeing, family situation, caring responsibilities, and any support needs.
If you’re struggling or worried about your tenancy, please contact us as early as possible. Early conversations really can make a difference.
In a small number of very serious situations, the law gives the court no flexibility.
Such as:
1
If these situations apply, the court must decide to end the tenancy, even if there are difficult personal circumstances.
2
If a tenancy has been passed on through a will, but someone else has a stronger legal right to take over the tenancy (Ground 7)
3
If there has been a conviction for a serious offence, or a serious breach of a court order linked to anti‑social behaviour (Ground 7A)
4
If, under immigration law, a person is no longer legally allowed to have a tenancy (Ground 7B)
5
If there are serious rent arrears. This means at least eight weeks (or two months) of unpaid rent both when formal notice is given and at the time of the court hearing (Ground 8)
If you’re having difficulty paying your rent, please speak to us as early as possible. We will always do our best to work with you to offer support, agree a payment plan, or help you access independent advice.
In other situations, the court does have a choice whether your tenancy should end.
The law allows the judge to use their judgement to decide whether ending the tenancy is the right outcome.
This means the court will listen to both sides and look at the full picture, including:
- What has happened
- What steps have already been taken
- Your personal circumstances, such as health issues or caring responsibilities
The court may decide that the tenancy should continue, or it may decide that it should end.
These situations include:
1
If suitable alternative accommodation is available to you (Ground 9)
2
If rent or service charges haven’t been paid (Ground 10)
3
If rent has often been paid late (Ground 11)
4
If parts of your tenancy agreement haven’t been followed (Ground 12)
5
If serious damage has been caused to your home or shared areas and this hasn’t been put right (Ground 13)
6
If behaviour has caused serious problems for others, such as ongoing nuisance or distress, or if illegal activity has taken place in or near your home (Ground 14)
7
If there has been violence or threats of violence within the household, and the person affected is not expected to return (Ground 14A)
8
If furniture we’ve provided as part of your tenancy has been badly damaged (Ground 15)
9
If your home was provided because of your job with us, and that employment has ended (Ground 16)
10
If the tenancy was granted based on information that was knowingly incorrect (Ground 17)
We will always aim to:
- Treat you with respect, fairness and understanding
- Listen to you and take your situation seriously
- Consider health conditions, disabilities and caring responsibilities
- Work with support services where this may help
- Explain things clearly, without unnecessary jargon
If you’re worried about your tenancy or feel things are becoming difficult, please get in touch. You don’t have to deal with this alone, we’re here to work with you and support you wherever we can.
You can call 0300 123 5522, complete an online web form here or use the Live Chat speech-bubble button in the right-hand corner of this web page to speak to one of the team. We’re here to help.
