High Court Enforcement vs County Court Bailiff

Two Routes to Enforcement

Once a possession order has been granted and the tenant has failed to vacate by the date specified, you have two options for enforcement. The right choice depends on your circumstances, timeline, and budget.

County Court Bailiffs

County Court Bailiffs (CCBs) are court officers who enforce County Court possession orders. Key facts:

• You apply to the court using form N325 (Warrant of Possession)
• Court fee: typically £130–£150
• Waiting time for an eviction date: typically 6–10 weeks
• In some busy areas, delays can extend to 3–4 months
• The bailiff cannot be instructed by you directly — they work on the court's schedule
• If the tenant applies to suspend the warrant, further delays occur

High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs)

HCEOs are private enforcement agents authorised to enforce High Court Writs of Possession. Key facts:

• Your County Court possession order must first be transferred to the High Court (via N244 application or if you requested transfer at the original hearing — which we strongly recommend doing)
• Enforcement time: typically 1–3 weeks from instruction
• Cost: varies significantly — typically £700–£1,500+ for the eviction attendance, excluding court fees. Some charge over £1,000 for attendance alone.
• iPropertyBuyers' managed service includes HCEO attendance (1 hour) in our fixed fee, making costs transparent and predictable
• HCEOs have greater powers than County Court Bailiffs and tend to be more effective at gaining prompt entry

Our Recommendation

In the majority of cases, we recommend the HCEO route for speed — provided the transfer to the High Court was requested at the possession order stage (which we always advise). The upfront cost is higher, but the time saving of 2–3 months typically represents far greater value in recovered rental income.

Our Fixed-Fee Managed Service

iPropertyBuyers manage the entire eviction process — from notice checking through to HCEO enforcement — for a transparent fixed fee that includes all court fees, writ costs, and HCEO attendance (up to 1 hour). No hidden charges, no small print surprises. Alternatively, if you would prefer to sell the property with the tenant in situ, we can purchase it for cash in as little as 7 days — avoiding the eviction process entirely.