Possession hearings

Possession hearings are held at county court for people with significant rent arrears (whether the landlord is private sector, a local authority or housing association) or mortgage arrears. The judge decides whether there are grounds for repossession and that the occupier is to be evicted. Landlords may apply for repossession if no agreement can be reached to start paying off arrears and arrears proceedings are followed. A possession summons can then be issued by the local county court. At possession hearings, the judge considers reasons for the arrears and possible action to make repayments. If the hearing is not adjourned and the possession application is not dismissed, the judge will either grant a suspended possession order or an order for outright possession. 

Title	Author	Publisher	Year
Defending Possession Proceedings. 6th Edition.	Madge, Nic et al	Legal Action Group	2006
Eviction Risk Monitor	Shelter	Shelter	2011
Giving Up Home Ownership: A Qualitative Study of Voluntary Possession and Selling because of Financial Difficulties	Ford, Janet et al	Communities and Local Government	2010
Housing Law Casebook. 3rd Edition.	Madge, Nic	Legal Action Group	2003
Possession Action - the Last Resort? CAB Evidence on Court Action by Social Landlords to Recover Rent Arrears	Phelps, L and Carter M	Citizen's Advice	2003
Repossessions Hotspots	Shelter	Shelter	2011
Rights and Responsibilities: Guidelines on the Use of Leases and Licences in Special Needs Accommodation	Cormacain, Ronan	Council for the Homeless (Northern Ireland)	2002