At West Country Bailiffs, one of the most common queries we receive from local authorities, charities, landlords and agents is how to remove an excluded occupier who refuses to leave. These situations can be stressful, but with the right advice and professional support, they can be resolved quickly and safely.
Many individuals want to know how to remove an excluded occupier from their property without complications.
This guide will help you understand the steps to remove an excluded occupier effectively.
In this FAQ, we’ll explain what an excluded occupier is, what your rights are, and how we successfully carried out an excluded occupier removal in Swindon to highlight best practice.
Knowing how to remove an excluded occupier is crucial for property owners.
What is an excluded occupier?
An excluded occupier is someone who lives in a property but has very limited rights compared to a tenant. Common examples include:
- Lodgers who share living space with their landlord
- People in temporary accommodation who are on an excluded licence agreement
- Friends, family, or former partners who were allowed to stay temporarily
- Individuals who no longer have permission to live at the property
Because they are not tenants, excluded occupiers can be asked to leave with relatively short notice. Unlike tenants, property owners don’t normally need to go to court to regain possession.
How do I remove an excluded occupier?
- Give reasonable notice – Even though the law is on your side, you need to give the occupier clear written notice in the format of a Notice to Quit, asking them to leave.
- Change the locks – Once the notice period on the Notice to Quit has expired and the occupier has left, landlords can change the locks to secure the property.
- Call professional help if they refuse to leave – If the excluded occupier won’t go, trained enforcement agents can assist to remove them lawfully and peacefully.
To effectively remove an excluded occupier, ensure you follow the proper legal steps.
Do I need a court order to remove an excluded occupier?
No, in most cases you do not need a possession order from the court. The key distinction is that excluded occupiers are not tenants so don’t have protection under the Housing Act 1988 or Protection from Eviction Act 1977. This makes the process quicker and less costly for landlords.
That said, removals should still be carried out carefully. If an occupier resists or has vulnerabilities, it’s always best to have professional enforcement agents on hand.
What happens if the excluded occupier becomes aggressive?
Unfortunately, emotions can run high in these cases. At West Country Bailiffs, our agents are trained to de-escalate situations. We use calm communication, reassurance, and practical support to encourage cooperation.
Knowing how to remove an excluded occupier can help prevent escalation.
It is essential to know how to remove an excluded occupier peacefully.
For example, during a recent excluded occupier removal in Swindon, the individual returned to the property in an agitated and intoxicated state. He was initially aggressive and refused to leave. Instead of escalating, our team spent over two hours building trust and supporting him with gathering belongings. Eventually, he agreed to leave peacefully, thanking our agents for their help.
Can the occupier take their belongings?
Yes. The occupier has a right to take their personal belongings. We always ensure items are packed and transferred safely.
In the excluded occupier removal in Swindon case, we even arranged a charity van to transport larger goods and worked with the occupier’s family to store them. This practical assistance was crucial in keeping the process calm and avoiding conflict.
Let us help you understand how to remove an excluded occupier as smoothly as possible.
How long does an excluded occupier removal take?
It depends on the circumstances. In straightforward cases, it may be completed within three hours. However, if the occupier is uncooperative, intoxicated, or experiencing mental health difficulties, it can take longer.
The Excluded Occupier removal in Swindon took most of the day, as our team prioritised de-escalation and welfare support. The important thing is that the case was resolved without injury or breach of the peace.
With proper guidance, it’s easy to learn how to remove an excluded occupier.
What happens after the removal?
Once the excluded occupier leaves:
- The property should be secured with new locks.
- Remaining residents should be updated and reassured.
- A record of the removal should be kept for the landlord’s protection.
In Swindon, we completed the removal by 4:45pm, with all locks changed and the property fully secured.
Why use professional bailiffs for excluded occupier removal?
While property owners may legally remove excluded occupiers themselves, it is rarely straightforward. Aggression, vulnerability, and safeguarding concerns can quickly complicate matters.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to know how to remove an excluded occupier from your property.
By using professional enforcement agents, landlords benefit from:
- Expert knowledge of housing law
- Safe, lawful removal
- De-escalation techniques to prevent conflict
- Protection of goods during the removal process
Our excluded occupier removal in Swindon case shows how important this approach can be. What began as a potentially volatile situation ended with a calm, safe resolution and a positive outcome for all parties.
Need Help with Excluded Occupier Removal in Swindon?
If you’re dealing with a difficult situation, West Country Bailiffs can help. Our team has extensive experience in excluded occupier removal in Swindon and across the South West including Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Wales, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
📞 Contact us today on 01803 895441 or by email to enforcement@westcountrybailiffs.co.uk for expert advice and professional support. We’ll help you resolve the matter quickly, lawfully, and with the minimum of stress.
Our team specialises in how to remove an excluded occupier with minimal conflict. Contact us today to discuss how to remove an excluded occupier effectively.
If you need assistance, we can guide you on how to remove an excluded occupier effectively.
