Can a landlord ever claim court fee costs from a difficult tenant associated with judicial proceedings related to seeking eviction orders?

Question

Suppose Theodore the statutory periodic assured tenant is served with a Notice under s.21, Housing Act 1988 by Larry his landlord and then stays until Larry applies to a court for a possession order by posting a £300+ fee.

Then Theodore stays again until Larry pays additional £100+ fee to request for bailiffs to remove Theodore.

Suppose Larry further pays a lawyer £1000 to submit all of these processes to the court etc. 4 months later, bailiffs have come and ushered Theodore out of the premises.

Can Larry ever claim any of these legal costs of £1400+ from Theodore? What are the rules that determine whether Larry will be awarded these or any of these costs?

Answer 1

Yes:

Your landlord can start court action once the date on the section 21 notice has passed.

The costs of an eviction can be at least £500. You may have to pay for the costs of the eviction if the notice is valid. Source - Shelter

Even if the landlord's claim is successful, whether it is actually settled by the tenant may well depend on their financial status and ability to pay.