If a tenant refuses to leave after receiving notice, landlords in England and Wales can use the Possession Claim Online (PCOL) service to apply for a court order to regain possession of their property. This digital process is quicker and cheaper than paper applications.
PCOL is an online service provided by HM Courts & Tribunals that allows landlords to:
✔️ Apply for a possession order if tenants won’t leave after notice.
✔️ Use the system for rent arrears or standard possession claims.
✔️ Track the claim’s progress and receive updates.
PCOL cannot be used for accelerated Section 21 claims or cases involving trespassers.
You can file a possession claim online if:
1️⃣ Serve Notice to the Tenant – Issue a Section 8 or relevant notice.
2️⃣ Wait for the Notice Period to End – Tenants must be given time to respond.
3️⃣ Log in to PCOL – Access the Gov.uk Possession Claim Online portal.
4️⃣ Submit the Claim & Pay the Fee – The PCOL fee is £355 (as of 2024).
5️⃣ Court Reviews the Case – The court will process the claim and set a hearing date.
6️⃣ Attend the Hearing – A judge decides whether to grant a possession order.
7️⃣ Enforce Eviction If Needed – If tenants don’t leave, landlords may apply for bailiff enforcement.
