Residential Eviction Process Course for Landlords and Letting Agents in England
Including the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
Below is a modernised course structure designed specifically for landlords, letting agents, housing managers and property professionals in England. The course has been updated to reflect the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, the transition to periodic tenancies, updated possession procedures, compliance obligations, discrimination risks, and enforcement changes.
The structure is designed to give learners a practical and realistic understanding of possession proceedings from pre-tenancy stage through to enforcement.
Module 1 — Introduction to Residential Possession Law in England
Lesson 1 — Overview of Residential Tenancies
- Assured tenancies
- Periodic tenancies under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- Occupiers, lodgers and licensees
- Tenant rights and landlord obligations
Lesson 2 — Understanding the English Legal System
- Civil courts and housing law
- County Court jurisdiction
- High Court jurisdiction
- Role of tribunals and local authorities
Lesson 3 — Key Housing Legislation
- Housing Act 1988
- Protection from Eviction Act 1977
- Housing Act 2004
- Equality Act 2010
- Renters’ Rights Act 2025
Lesson 4 — Understanding Possession Claims
- Mandatory grounds
- Discretionary grounds
- Standard possession claims
- Accelerated possession claims (historic understanding)
- Money judgments and costs
Module 2 — Pre-Tenancy Compliance and Risk Prevention
Lesson 1 — Pre-Tenancy Compliance Checklist
- Right to Rent checks
- EPC requirements
- Gas safety requirements
- Electrical safety requirements
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Lesson 2 — Tenancy Agreements and Written Statements
- Mandatory tenancy terms
- Written statements under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- Rent terms and permitted payments
- Clauses that may be unenforceable
Lesson 3 — Licensing Requirements
- HMO licensing
- Selective licensing
- Additional licensing
- Consequences of operating without a licence
Lesson 4 — Tenant Referencing and Guarantors
- Affordability checks
- Credit referencing
- Guarantor agreements
- Suing a guarantor
Lesson 5 — Deposit Protection Rules
- Tenant deposit legislation
- Prescribed information
- Deposit deadlines
- Common landlord mistakes
Lesson 6 — Penalties for Deposit Non-Compliance
- Compensation claims
- Restrictions on possession proceedings
- Deposit counterclaims
- Letting agent liability
Module 3 — Rent Arrears Prevention and Management
Lesson 1 — Preventing Rent Arrears
- Tenant affordability
- Rent collection systems
- Communication strategies
- Early intervention
Lesson 2 — Managing Arrears Professionally
- Arrears letters and reminders
- Payment plans
- Record keeping
- Evidence gathering
Lesson 3 — Rent Arrears and Possession Grounds
- Mandatory rent arrears grounds
- Discretionary rent arrears grounds
- Persistent arrears
- Partial payments and tactical arrears
Lesson 4 — Universal Credit and Housing Benefit Issues
- Direct payments
- Delays and deductions
- Evidence for the court
Module 4 — Possession Grounds Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
Lesson 1 — Abolition of Section 21
- End of no-fault evictions
- Transition from fixed terms
- Periodic tenancy system
Lesson 2 — Landlord Intention Grounds
- Selling the property
- Landlord or family occupation
- Restrictions and penalties
Lesson 3 — Rent Arrears Grounds
- Mandatory thresholds
- Evidence requirements
- Court expectations
Lesson 4 — Anti-Social Behaviour and Nuisance
- Ground 14 claims
- Evidence gathering
- Police and local authority involvement
Lesson 5 — Breach of Tenancy Grounds
- Property damage
- Illegal activity
- Refusal of access
- False information by tenant
Lesson 6 — Student and Supported Accommodation Grounds
- Student possession grounds
- Supported housing exemptions
- Transitional rules
Module 5 — Serving Notices Correctly
Lesson 1 — Types of Possession Notices
- Section 8 notices
- Updated possession notices under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- Notices to quit
- Common law notices
Lesson 2 — Choosing the Correct Ground
- Mandatory vs discretionary grounds
- Strategic considerations
- Risks of using incorrect grounds
Lesson 3 — Notice Periods and Expiry Dates
- Calculating notice periods
- Errors that invalidate notices
- Service methods
Lesson 4 — Service of Notices
- Hand delivery
- First-class post
- Email service
- Evidence of service
Lesson 5 — Common Notice Defects
- Incorrect dates
- Missing documents
- Deposit issues
- Licensing problems
Module 6 — Defences, Counterclaims and Tenant Challenges
Lesson 1 — Disrepair Defences
- Fitness for habitation
- Landlord repairing obligations
- Retaliatory eviction allegations
Lesson 2 — Equality Act 2010 Defences
- Disability discrimination claims
- Reasonable adjustments
- Harassment allegations
Lesson 3 — Deposit Counterclaims
- Financial penalties
- Tactical counterclaims
- Settlement considerations
Lesson 4 — Disrepair Counterclaims
- Scott Schedules
- Expert evidence
- Quantum of damages
Lesson 5 — Court Costs and Financial Risks
- Legal costs
- Adverse cost orders
- Delay tactics
- Rent recovery problems
Lesson 6 — Part 36 Offers and Settlement Negotiations
- Without prejudice negotiations
- Settlement agreements
- Tactical offers
Module 7 — Court Proceedings and Possession Hearings
Lesson 1 — Starting a Possession Claim
- Court forms
- Filing evidence
- Online possession claims
Lesson 2 — Preparing Evidence
- Rent schedules
- Witness statements
- Photographs and inspection records
Lesson 3 — Attending Court
- What happens at hearings
- Judicial discretion
- Tenant representation
Lesson 4 — Possession Orders
- Outright possession orders
- Suspended possession orders
- Money judgments
Lesson 5 — Appeals and Set Aside Applications
- Tenant applications
- Delays and enforcement risks
Module 8 — Enforcement and Evictions
Lesson 1 — County Court Bailiffs
- Warrant of possession
- Bailiff procedure
- Waiting times
Lesson 2 — High Court Enforcement Officers
- Transfer to High Court
- Advantages and risks
- Enforcement procedure
Lesson 3 — Illegal Eviction Risks
- Criminal offences
- Harassment claims
- Civil damages
Lesson 4 — Abandoned Property and Goods Left Behind
- Torts notice procedure
- Storage obligations
- Disposal of goods
Module 9 — Letting Agents and Professional Practice
Lesson 1 — Letting Agent Responsibilities
- Agency authority
- Liability for errors
- Deposit handling
Lesson 2 — Record Keeping and Evidence Management
- Inspection records
- Communication logs
- Compliance documentation
Lesson 3 — Professional Conduct and Best Practice
- Communication with tenants
- Avoiding discrimination
- Reducing litigation risks
Lesson 4 — Working with Solicitors and Counsel
- When legal advice is needed
- Preparing instructions
- Litigation strategy
Final Module — Course Summary and Practical Application
Lesson 1 — Step-by-Step Possession Roadmap
- From arrears to enforcement
- Decision-making flowcharts
- Practical timelines
Lesson 2 — Common Landlord Mistakes
- Invalid notices
- Deposit errors
- Licensing failures
- Poor evidence
Lesson 3 — Best Practice Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- Compliance culture
- Avoiding enforcement action
- Long-term tenancy management
Lesson 4 — Final Assessment Preparation
- Reviewing key legal principles
- Possession procedure recap
- Preparing for the final quiz