Best way to get rid of bad tenant

Tenancy Deposits

I have a tenant who has been constantly behind with the rent almost since day 1. I issued a section 21 some months back in the hope of letting the tenant know I will not let these late payments continue, but it has had no effect and currently I am owed £700 arrears.

Their tenancy ends on July 14th and they have said they wish to carry on and would have all rent up to date by then. I want them out but if I apply to the court now I'm sure all rent will stop until eviction takes place and I know this could take a while especially if they refuse to go and I have to keep going back and forth to the court.

I'm owed over £6000 from previous tenants who have played the system. One case going on for 4 years the other 18 months. Chasing rent arrears is a nightmare the courts have backlogs, tenants changing names and employment to stop AOE, warrants not being honoured and re-issues lost by courts, bailliff's not getting responses from enquiries. Court fee's just add up, tracing agent fee's add up.

Any suggestions? Can't afford to continue for much longer like this.