--- title: Tenant Stopped Paying Rent? How to Get Your Property Back | Helpland description: Tenant not paying rent? The four steps to getting your property back in England, how long each takes and the fixed fee for each stage. Free case check. image: https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-rent-arrears-evictions-2026-3-month-rule-england-wales.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#main-content) [![Helpland tenant eviction specialists](https://helpland.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png?width=160&height=53&name=Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png "Helpland tenant eviction specialists")](https://helpland.co.uk/) - [Get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [Tenant not paying rent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Tenant has abandoned the property](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/14-day-abandonment-notice) - [Lodger or non-assured tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-to-quit) - [Commercial tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/commercial-evictions) - [Travellers on your land](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/traveller-evictions) - Services - [Section 8 notice](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8) - [Court proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings) - [County Court bailiffs](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/county-court-bailiff) - [High Court enforcement](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/high-court-sheriff) - [Notice of intent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-of-intent) - [Notice to quit proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-to-quit-court-proceedings) - [Letter of forfeiture](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/letter-of-forfeiture) - [Forfeiture proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/letter-of-forfeiture-proceedings) - [Areas we cover](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/areas-we-cover) - [Guides](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger) - [Contact us](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) - [Call 020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) Rent arrears # Tenant stopped paying rent? Here's how to get your property back. Unpaid rent is stressful, but you have options, and you don't have to work them out alone. Here's exactly what happens, how long it takes and what it costs. [Call 020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) [Get a Free Case Check](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#case-check) ## How you get your property back ### Step 1: Serve the right notice We draft and serve a Section 8 notice on the right grounds. If your tenant owes at least three months' rent, the court must give you possession, as long as that much is still owed at the hearing. The notice period is four weeks. **Fixed fee: £199.99.** [More about Section 8 notices](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8). ### Step 2: Go to court If the tenant doesn't pay or leave, our panel solicitors issue a possession claim, and you can claim the unpaid rent too. A hearing is usually four to eight weeks later. **Fixed fee: £1,450, including the £415 court fee.** ### Step 3: Get a possession order The court normally gives the tenant 14 days to leave. ### Step 4: Bailiffs, if needed If they still won't go, we arrange County Court bailiffs for **£551.95**, or High Court enforcement for **£1,507.95**, which is often faster. ### Fixed fees at a glance - Section 8 notice**£199.99** - Court proceedings**£1,450** - County Court bailiffs**£551.95** - High Court enforcement**£1,507.95** All prices include VAT and court fees. Most landlords don't need every stage. [See all our fees](https://helpland.co.uk/fees). [Get a free case check](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#case-check) Rated 4.8/5 on Google ## What you can do today - Keep an up-to-date record of every payment missed. - Check the deposit is protected and the tenant had the prescribed information. - Make sure your gas safety record, electrical report and EPC are current. - Speak to us before the arrears grow. ## Get a free case check Tell us what's happening and we'll tell you your options and the fixed cost. No obligation. [Get a free case check](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#case-check)[Call 020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) ### Tips and Guides - [Rent Arrears Evictions in 2026: The 3-Month Rule Explained](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/rent-arrears-evictions-2026-3-month-rule-england-wales) - [Late or Unpaid Rent: A Landlord’s Guide](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/late-rent-payments-a-landlords-guide-under-uk-law) - [Universal Credit and Ground 8: When Benefits Are Delayed](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/when-benefits-delay-rent) - [How to Recover Rent Arrears After a Tenant Leaves](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/recover-rent-arrears-after-eviction) ## FAQs ##### [Can I change the locks?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#collapse1-dnd_area-module-6) No. Evicting a tenant without a court order is a criminal offence. Changing the locks, removing belongings or cutting off utilities can all count as illegal eviction. ##### [What if they pay some of it?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#collapse2-dnd_area-module-6) If the arrears fall below three months by the hearing, Ground 8 no longer applies, but we can still use other grounds for rent arrears. We usually include them on the notice from the start. ##### [Will I get the rent back?](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears#collapse3-dnd_area-module-6) We add the arrears to your possession claim, so the court can order the tenant to pay what they owe. ## Customer Testimonial At Helpland, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring your peace of mind. As a small business, we understand the significant impact of customer reviews. To help you feel confident in choosing us as your service provider, we have shared some of the feedback from our satisfied customers. We assessed our legal providers a year ago and discovered Helpland… We've partnered with them ever since and wholeheartedly endorse their services. ![Matthew Finch](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Website%20Assets/Matthew%20Finch.webp) Operations Director - Foxtons ##### Matthew Finch ## Still waiting on rent? Get a free case check. Tell us how much rent is owed and how long it has been going on. One of our eviction specialists will call you back with the right notice, the timeline and the fixed cost. - Section 8 notice: £199.99 - Court proceedings: £1,450, including the £415 court fee - No obligation, and no jargon Prefer to talk now? Call [020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446), or [see all our fixed fees](https://helpland.co.uk/fees). ## Request your call back [![Helpland Logo](https://helpland.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png?width=250&height=83&name=Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png "Helpland Logo")](https://helpland.co.uk) **Reg Office:** 137 Watling Street, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7 7NQ Company No. 07338711 | VAT Reg No. 103 006291 ©2026 Helpland Ltd. [Follow us on Facebook](https://facebook.com/helplanduk) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpland/) [Follow us on X](https://x.com/helplandUK) #### Helpland - [Get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [About Us](https://helpland.co.uk/about) - [Contact Us](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) - [Tenant not paying rent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Section 8 notice](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8) - [Areas we cover](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/areas-we-cover) - [For letting agents](https://helpland.co.uk/letting-agents) - [Our fees](https://helpland.co.uk/fees) #### Resources - [Blog](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger) - [Terms & Conditions](https://helpland.co.uk/terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy Policy](https://helpland.co.uk/privacy-policy) #### Contact Phone [020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) Email [info@helpland.co.uk](mailto:info@helpland.co.uk) Address [Citibase Watford](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tftdba8aEkdUsXwK9)[42-44 Clarendon Rd Watford WD17 1JJ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tftdba8aEkdUsXwK9) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "email" : "info@helpland.co.uk", "founder" : { "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Managing Director", "name" : "Lee Daniels" }, "foundingDate" : "2010", "legalName" : "Helpland Ltd", "logo" : "https://143332599.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/143332599/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png", "name" : "Helpland", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpland/", "https://facebook.com/helplanduk", "https://x.com/helplandUK" ], "telephone" : "+44 20 3835 4446", "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/", "vatID" : "GB103006291" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#business", "@type" : "ProfessionalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "GB", "addressLocality" : "Watford", "postalCode" : "WD17 1JJ", "streetAddress" : "Citibase Watford, 42-44 Clarendon Road" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "England" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Wales" } ], "description" : "Fixed-fee tenant eviction specialists for landlords and letting agents in England: Section 8 notices, possession claims, County Court bailiff and High Court enforcement, notices to quit and commercial evictions. 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