My landlord has just started a possession claim against me. Am I about to be evicted?

No, not immediately. A claim is the document that opens a court case — it still has to go to a hearing or paper decision, then, if your landlord succeeds, a possession order with its own leave date, and only after that a warrant with at least 14 days’ further notice before bailiffs attend. Nationally, the median time from a claim being filed to an actual repossession is currently around 27 weeks.

What’s the difference between a mandatory and a discretionary ground for possession?

On a mandatory ground, a judge who finds the ground proven generally has to grant possession. On a discretionary ground, the judge decides whether it’s reasonable to make you leave, and can suspend the order on conditions, such as paying off arrears, instead of ordering you out. Check which type of ground your landlord’s notice cites.

Do these new figures mean the Renters’ Rights Act is causing more evictions?

The figures actually show the opposite pattern for completed evictions — warrants and repossessions were both down year-on-year, even as claims filed rose. The Ministry of Justice itself says it’s too early to attribute the change to the Act, since this quarter only covers two months after it came into force.

I haven’t left by the date on my possession order. What happens now?

Your landlord has to apply separately to the court for a warrant of possession before bailiffs can remove you — an order alone doesn’t authorise that. If a warrant is granted, you must be given at least 14 days’ written notice of the eviction date, and depending on the ground involved, you may still be able to apply to suspend it before that date arrives.

Can I stop the process by paying off rent arrears?

Often, yes, if the ground being used is discretionary — arrears grounds frequently are, unless the arrears are large enough to meet a mandatory threshold. A court can suspend a possession order on condition that you pay off the arrears at an agreed rate. Check the notice, and ideally get advice before the hearing rather than after.

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Landlord Possession Claims Are Up Since the Renters’ Rights Act. Evictions Themselves Are Not.

New Ministry of Justice figures show landlord possession claims up 6% since the Renters’ Rights Act, but repossessions are down and cases…