Home trashing prompts calls for eviction process overhaul

Glenn Schofield spent months going through the courts to repossess his four-bedroomed house in Darlington.

But, by the time the courts granted an eviction order, the house he had spent thousands of pounds renovating had been vandalised almost beyond repair.

Carpets have been pulled up, windows smashed, the kitchen ripped out, banisters left hanging, paint indiscriminately splashed across walls and the toilet blocked with excrement and used sanitary towels.

Upstairs, the ceilings have given way after lead flashing was removed from the roof and rainwater poured through the holes.

Landlords say the current court procedures for evicting problem tenants just aren't working.

The process normally takes between six and eight months and, with scores of county courts earmarked for closure as part of the Government's cuts, it could soon take even longer.

Angry landlords claim the ponderous procedure leaves them powerless to prevent tenants exacting their revenge by trashing expensive properties.

Looking at the damage, Mr Schofield said: "It's almost indescribable. I've done everything by the book but I don't understand why it has taken so long."

The damage to his property is so severe that police are treating it as a case of criminal damage.

Last year, the Residential Landlords Association delivered a petition to Downing Street calling for a "fast track" eviction process.

Housing minister Grant Shapps has announced new powers that will make it easier to evict troublesome tenants - but they will only be available to social housing landlords.

Stephen Ludlow, an equity director for one of the UK's leading residential letting agencies, said: "Most landlords put some money aside to deal with rental gaps, however having to fund six months plus is tough. It cannot be fair that private landlords should suffer such loop holes that mean they cannot evict tenants or suffer lengthy delays."