dukeoffenland

hi guys, I have a flat i rent out quite cheap and had a ideal tenant, but he wanted more space and parking so left,

sat empty for 2 months while the agent tried finding someone then told me to spend about 4k doing it up (im a architect and im no mug re: building) was nothing wrong but i gave it a lick of paint, ripped out the aging carpets and chucked in some cheap laminate flooring and it looked pretty smart, i put a advert up in the local shop

first people come in and took it, all references come back reasonable old landlord said they got their rent a tad late and was with a agent so i went with it, got my first 2 months rent no problem, now they missed 2 months on the trot and have no intention of paying now i think and making up problems with the property !

any advice about evicting them? they signed a 6 month AST with only 2 months left but i could do with getting them out now as my previous agent has someone lined up

Thanks
Matt

Saalro

iTrader: (8)

Can't you just say we signed a contract together, if you don't have the rent by 1 week you are out?

Is there no specifics on the contract?

Thanks

dukeoffenland

hi sam, friend of my parents is a solicitor and ive emailed him copies and waiting for him to get back to me,

im annoyed they got cats and i said no pets unless agreed, they wont open the door and shout thro the window, i sent a electrician in to sort the so called faulty electrics and tenant had fitted a light fitting poorly which i have passed the bill onto him.
The electrician said it was a mess and no cleaning been done

Saalro

iTrader: (8)

What are with some people, what actually goes through their stupid heads.

I bet they do this to every property they rent.

Cut all their power and water off.

Find what you can and can't do from your solicitor and make their life hell.

Thanks

dukeoffenland

thing is its a couple in their 40s so would expect some decency,!

k-jones-087

very simple bud, they havent paid rent. that is deffinately grounds to have them evicted. same thing happened to friend of mine, he called the local cops explained the situation and asked if an officer would accompany him to the house. they knocked on door and my friend said you have 30 minutes to leave the property or they would be forcefully removed, the officer never even spoke. they packed there bags and were gone in 30 mins.

dukeoffenland

Police said I gotta go to court ! Think I might put a letter thro door tomorrow saying **** off by next weekend and I won't take it further

scoobynutta555

IIRC you'll have to go to court. I'd watch what you put their letterbox etc as they could try to turn something against you. They sound like game players, making up problems with property as some sort of defence against non payment of rent. Make sure you're squeaky clean with the inland revenue and have bullet proof house insurance. They won't be paying you any more rent and expect a right 5hithole left behind them. I take it you're not holding the deposit.

k-jones-087

ya you could try that, print something up that looks somewhat official,it might scare them into leaving. dont use any bad language etc as they would know it was from you and prob ignore it. if you make it look like it came from an official source it would make them think.

dukeoffenland

I will get one my rics surveyors to do it . Yes I Got the deposit which will cover clean up but I gotta get it out the tenancy deposit scheme which is hard apparently

scoobynutta555

ya you could try that, print something up that looks somewhat official,it might scare them into leaving. dont use any bad language etc as they would know it was from you and prob ignore it. if you make it look like it came from an official source it would make them think.

I would recommend you don't do this.
Go to your local CAB.

Moojii

Send some lads round...worked for my dad who was in the same position.

dukeoffenland

I think I might sell it after its doin my head in. Lol

scoobyman2007

iTrader: (5)

Hi m8 if thay have not payed you then ther squatters and you can get the cops and get them out as for the new law have a look on the net

scoobynutta555

I rented 3 properties over nearly 20 years. I sold up in the end as it was a PITA. Don't forget capital gains tax when you sell

dukeoffenland

Well will ring solicitor in the morning . It's costing me each month . It's a nice big flat in a nice area he works full time and she works part time so surely the 375 rent should be easy??

k-jones-087

printing out a letter isnt gonna get you in trouble,its not official,its just something you could try. if it works they'l leg it,if it dosent they'l just chuck it in the bin and you'l have to re think. personally id try it.

scoobynutta555

If it works great, if it doesn't you look a right idiot and achieved nothing. As they're behind over 2 months rent you have grounds for eviction via the court.

dukeoffenland

Will wait for legal advice might ring court see how long it takes

k-jones-087

how long would it take before it got to court??

dukeoffenland

If he said he had a problem could of sorted it between us which I would of preferred

scoobynutta555

Ring the citizens advice bureau. If they're seasoned rent dodgers they'll run rings round you until you're up to speed with the law. Getting them out will be the least of your worries compared to the state they may leave the property in. Have you got legal cover on your Landlords insurance policy? Please tell me you have valid insurance?

dukeoffenland

Yes full insurance ! Dad made me

scoobynutta555

That covers you letting it out? If you have proper landlords insurance then give them a ring.

dukeoffenland

Yeah my dad owns 2 brokerages but waiting for them to get back to me after sending them all the info I got

dukeoffenland

They,won't cover loss of rent take it that's normal ?

BaojeeX

Firstly ring the CAB. 8 Weeks rent unpaid is when you can go to court, and even then the court may just make them pay what they can afford that could be little as £10/week.

If you want to notify them, post them a letter and get someone to take a picture of you posting it in the letterbox.

Secondly, did your agent take a deposit (hopefully it was a month of rent), and put it into a deposit protection scheme? Sometimes they hold the deposit themselves so ask them as you are entitled to it.

Depending on how much rent is/how much you'll be out of pocket if it is a 6months AST, there's no point chasing it as it'll probably cost you more in court fees.

In future I wouldn't go through with Agents, it's difficult to find a decent bunch these days. Not a lot do much.

Though a nice letter from behalf of the solicitor may scare them a little. Unfortunately more rights are given to tenants, then landlords.

scoobynutta555

Sorted. If you just had a regular private household policy you could have regretted it. While waiting for docs call the CAB and look for landlord forums on the net, should be loads of free advice.

dukeoffenland

Cheers guys gonna speak to solicitor tomorrow

scoobynutta555

Yes that's normal, unless it's a bolt on. Even then I'm not sure if they're worth it, never looked into it.
Get these guys out quickly and legally and put it down to experience. If I was to do it all again I'd get a full credit check on the tenant and possibly a guarantor with a hefty deposit too.