7.  The first applicant was born in 1927 and lived in Naples. The second applicant was born in 1928 and lives in Naples. 8.  They were the owners of four flats in Arzano (Naples), which they had let respectively to L.U., L.C., C.S., G.R. and G.F.
1)  Application no. 40672/98 9.  In a writ served on the tenant on 24 November 1986, the applicants informed the tenant of their intention to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and summoned him to appear before the Casoria (Naples) Magistrate. 10.  By a decision of 20 February 1987, which was made enforceable on the same day, the Casoria Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 December 1989. 11.  On 28 January 1994, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises. 
On 23 April 1994, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 28 April 1994. 12.  Between 28 April 1994 and 8 March 1999, the bailiff made twelve attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession. 13.  On 3 June 2001, the tenant spontaneously left the premises and the applicants recovered possession of their flat.
2)  Application no. 40680/98 14.  In a writ served on the tenant on 24 November 1986, the applicants informed the tenant of their intention to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and summoned him to appear before the Casoria (Naples) Magistrate. 15.  By a decision of 13 February 1987, which was made enforceable on the same day, the Casoria Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 December 1989. 16.  On 28 January 1994, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises. 17.  On 23 April 1994, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 28 April 1994. 18.  Between 28 April 1994 and 8 March 1999, the bailiff made thirteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession. 19.  On 4 September 1999, the tenant entered into a new lease.
3)  Application no. 40681/98 20.  In a writ served on the tenant on 24 November 1986, the applicants informed the tenant of their intention to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and summoned him to appear before the Casoria (Naples) Magistrate. 21.  By a decision of 13 February 1987, which was made enforceable on the same day, the Casoria Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 December 1989. 22.  On 28 January 1994, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises. 23.  On 23 April 1994, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 28 April 1994. 24.  Between 28 April 1994 and 8 March 1999, the bailiff made thirteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession. 25.  On an unspecified date of May 2000, the applicants recovered possession of the flat.
4)  Application no. 40884/98 26.  In a writ served on the tenant on 24 November 1986, the applicants informed the tenant of their intention to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and summoned her to appear before the Casoria (Naples) Magistrate. 27.  By a decision of 6 February 1987, which was made enforceable on the same day, the Casoria Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 December 1988. 28.  On 31 January 1994, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring her to vacate the premises. 29.  On 23 April 1994, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 28 April 1994. 30.  Between 28 April 1994 and 8 March 1999, the bailiff made thirteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession. 31.  On an unspecified date of February 2001, the applicants recovered possession of the flat.