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England

Pre-action protocol for possession claims by social landlords

The pre-action protocol which prescribes the specific procedures that social landlords should follow before issuing possession claims.

This content applies to England & Wales

Aims of the pre action protocol

The current version of the Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims by Social Landlords came into force on 13 January 2020.

The aims of the protocol are:

  • to encourage more pre-action contact and exchange of information between landlord and tenants

  • if possible, to enable landlords and tenants to avoid litigation and settle disputes out of court

  • if court proceedings are inevitable, to enable an effective use of court's time and resources.

Communications and provision of information

The protocol requires that the landlord should take reasonable steps to ensure that the tenant understands any information provided. The landlord should be able to demonstrate what steps have been taken to this effect.

If the landlord is aware that the tenant is aged under 18 or is particularly vulnerable for other reasons, the landlord should consider at an early stage:

  • whether the tenant has the necessary mental capacity to defend a possession claim and, where appropriate, apply to appoint a litigation friend under Part 21 of the Civil Procedure Rules

  • whether there are any discrimination issues under the Equality Act 2010

  • if the landlord is a local authority, whether there is a need for a community care assessment.

Court proceedings as last resort

Court proceedings should be a landlord's last resort. Possession proceedings should not be issued prematurely when a settlement out of court is still actively being explored.

Scope of the protocol

This pre-action protocol applies to all residential possession claims taken by social landlords, including local authorities, private registered providers of social housing and housing action trusts.

Part 2 relates to claims which are brought solely on the basis of rent arrears. It reflects the guidance on good practice given to social landlords in the collection of rent arrears.

Part 3 relates to claims brought on:

  • mandatory grounds for possession, and 

  • claims where security of tenure is reduced and no grounds are required but the occupier may be able to rely on human rights, public law or equality law defences

Part 3 aims to ensure that in such claims, when the tenant raises a defence under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, all the necessary information is collected and put before the court at the first hearing so that the court can deal with the issue of proportionality of the eviction summarily or give directions for trial as appropriate.

The protocol does not apply to claims in respect of long leases.

Claim for rent arrears - initial contact

As soon as practicable possible after the tenant falls in rent arrears, and before serving the required statutory notice of seeking possession, landlords should:

  • provide quarterly rent statements showing rent outstanding and paid in the last 13 weeks

  • contact the tenant to discuss the tenant's financial circumstances, any entitlement to benefits, and the reason for the arrears

  • try to agree with the tenant an affordable arrangement for paying the arrears with any arrangement to be confirmed in writing

  • assist the tenant with a claim for benefits, including housing benefit, the housing element of universal credit, and/or discretionary housing payments

  • advise the tenant to seek independent advice, especially if they have a general debt problem

  • if the tenant meets the criteria, arrange for direct payments of arrears to be made to the landlord from the tenant's benefits

  • not start possession proceedings when the tenant has provided all the necessary evidence to support a benefit claim and there is a reasonable expectation that s/he will be entitled

  • establish effective liaison with the benefit department and/or the Department for Work and Pensions.

Claim for rent arrears - after service of notice

After serving the statutory notice of seeking possession, and before issuing possession proceedings, landlords should:

  • make reasonable efforts to contact the tenant to discuss the situation and send to the tenant a copy of the Pre-action Protocol for Possession Claims by Social Landlords

  • postpone the court proceedings for as long as the tenant is complying with an agreement to pay current rent plus an amount towards the arrears

  • warn the tenant who has stopped complying with a repayment agreement of the intention to resume possession proceeding, giving clear time limits and instructions on how to avoid that.

Claim for rent arrears - court proceedings

Not less than ten days before the court hearing, landlords must provide the tenant with an up-to-date rent statement, and disclose to the tenant what information they have about her/his housing benefit or universal credit position.

Landlords should also inform the tenant of:

  • the date and time of the court hearing

  • the order they will apply for

  • the need to attend the hearing.

If after issuing proceedings the tenant has been complying with an agreement to pay, landlords should agree to an adjournment, on terms that the tenant sticks to the agreement. If the tenant subsequently fails to comply, landlords should advise the tenant that they intend to go back to court providing clear time limits.

Claim on mandatory grounds

In cases where the court must grant possession if the landlord proves the case, before issuing any possession claim landlords should:

  • write to the tenants/occupiers explaining why they currently intend to seek possession and ask them to notify the landlord in writing of any personal circumstances or other matters which they wish to be taken into account, giving clear time limits for responses - such a letter could accompany any notice to quit; and

  • consider any representations received, and if they decide to proceed with a claim for possession give brief written reasons for doing so.

If they decide to proceed with the possession claim, landlords should include in the particulars of claim, or in any witness statement, a schedule giving a summary of:  

  • whether they have invited the tenants/occupiers to disclose any personal circumstances or other matters which they wish to be taken into account before they issue possession proceedings

  • whether they have considered any representations made by the tenants/occupiers

  • why they are bringing possession proceedings, and

  • any relevant documents which they wish the court to consider in relation to the proportionality of their decision to bring proceedings.

Sanctions

If the landlord does not comply with the terms of the protocol the court can consider compliance when making any order for costs, and where the claim is brought on discretionary grounds, adjourn or strike out the claim.

If the tenant does not comply with the terms of the protocol the court can take this into account in considering whether it is reasonable to make an order for possession.

Refusal to settle

The court can also order a defendant to pay the claimant an additional amount, not exceeding a prescribed percentage of the amount awarded to the claimant by the court, if:[1]

  • the defendant does not accept the claimant's offer to settle, and

  • the court subsequently gives judgment for the claimant which is at least as advantageous as the offer.

Different prescribed amounts apply depending on whether the proceedings involve money claims only, both money and non-money claims, or non-money claims only.[2]

Last updated: 25 March 2021

Footnotes

  • [1]

    s.55 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, in force since 1 October 2012 under art. 2(b) The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Commencement No. 2 and Specification of Commencement Date) Order 2012 SI 2012/2412.

  • [2]

    The Offers to Settle in Civil Proceedings Order 2013 SI 2013/93.