Why timing matters on bailiff day
The moment the warrant is executed, every hour matters. The property may be insecure (the locks have been changed but the tenant may still have the original keys). Contents may include valuables vulnerable to theft. Neighbours may be aware that the property is empty. The faster the property is properly secured, documented and cleared, the lower the risk and the faster you can re-let. Tenant eviction clearance is built around getting the property from 'just-evicted' to 'fully-documented and cleared' inside the working week.
Coordinating with the bailiff
Most county-court bailiffs and HCEOs attend in the morning, typically between 9am and 12pm. We coordinate our attendance with the bailiff's appointment, often arriving in the early afternoon to begin work immediately after the bailiff has left. Where the bailiff has flagged contamination, biohazard concerns or unsafe contents, we adjust the crew composition to suit.
The locksmith arrangement
We can attend with our locksmith partner so that the property is fully re-secured (typically a euro-cylinder change to all external doors and a check of all windows) as part of the same booking. The locksmith change is itemised separately on the quote, typically £80-£150 per door.
Items the former tenant has left at the property
The former tenant has a right to collect items left at the property, subject to the Tort Notice process. They cannot, however, enter the property without your permission once the warrant has been executed. We handle this by holding the items at our secure storage and arranging supervised collection appointments at a mutually convenient time. The former tenant does not need to return to the property at any point.
The bailiff-day documentation pack
Tenant eviction clearance produces a specific documentation pack designed for bailiff-day evictions: photographic record matched to the bailiff's own report, inventory of items removed, valuation summary where instructed, Tort Notice served and tracked, locksmith certificate, deep-clean record, and a re-letting condition report. The whole pack is supplied as a single PDF within 48 hours of completion.
Frequently asked questions
Can you attend the same day as the bailiff?
Yes — same-day attendance is the norm for tenant eviction clearance. We schedule our crew arrival for shortly after the bailiff's scheduled execution time.
What if the bailiff appointment is delayed or rescheduled?
Our attendance can be rescheduled without charge up to four hours before the original arrival time. Where the bailiff date itself moves, the booking moves with it.
Can the former tenant be present during the clearance?
No. Once the warrant has been executed, the former tenant has no right to be at the property without your permission. If they return and claim possessions, we direct them to the secure storage arrangement.
Do you handle the locksmith yourself?
Yes, through our SSAIB-accredited partner locksmiths. Same booking, same invoice, same insurance cover.
How quickly is the property ready to re-let?
Typically 5-7 working days from the bailiff's execution of the warrant: clearance, deep clean, locksmith, documentation pack. Faster turnaround is available where the property is in good condition.