Advice and support if you are facing eviction from your home

What you should do if you receive a letter about a hearing at the County Court.

If we haven't been able to work with you to resolve a tenancy management, Anti social behaviour or rent arrears problem we may apply to the County Court for a hearing. At the hearing we will ask the Judge to make an order. This might be to grant us possession on a suspended basis so long as you stick to a repayment plan if you owe rent for example or in more serious situations we may ask for possession of your home.

If you receive a letter about a hearing at the County Court we would advise you to do the following:

Speak to us, we want to help and we can agree a way forwards prior to the hearing.
Always attend the hearing. Your home may be at risk so it is really important that you turn up at Court.
Seek independent advice from an organisation such as Shelter the housing charity or Citizens Advice. You may want to seek legal advice from a solicitor.
Speak to the duty housing advisor / legal advisor at the Court.
Speak to your local council's Homelessness service, they may be able to offer help or advice with dealing with the problem.

What will could happen if you don't abide by a Court order?

If you don't abide by the terms of a court order we will take further action against you. If the Court granted us possession of your home but suspended the order and you breach this we may apply for a warrant for eviction.

What will happen if the Court grant Arches possession of your home?

If the Court grants Arches possession of your home you will be told when you have to leave the property by. This is determined by the Court and is usually within 14 days or 28 days. If you don't leave by the date on the possession order we will apply for a warrant for possession.

What you should do if you receive a letter about being evicted (Warrant for possession)?

If you do not leave the property by the date on the possession order we will apply to the Court again to grant a warrant for possession. The warrant will tell you the date that a bailiff will attend the property to evict you, we will change the locks on the property. We will arrange a date and time with you to collect your belongings if the property is not empty. If you do not remove your belonging we may put them in storage (you will have to pay the storage costs) or we may dispose of them.

You may be able to apply to the court to suspend the eviction, you should get advice on how to do this. Shelter, Citizens Advice Bureau or a solicitor will be able to advise you on your options. We also recommend that you speak to your local council's homelessness team, they may also be able to provide you with support and advice.