Updating post from Reddit.
My first post was here.
My second post was here.
I took the advice offered in this sub and took the offer from the council. I got it in writing from the council directly that the tenant would definitely be gone before the next month's rent was due. The council gave her the keys to the new place but... she still hadn't moved out of my house. Great.
It felt like she was using every excuse under the sun not to move out (why, I couldn't tell you). Finally, after another 2.5 weeks, she finally returned the keys to the agents. Of course, during that time, she accrued another 2.5 weeks' rent, which I will never see. She also left shit everywhere in the garage and garden, which I had to pay to get removed, but at least the house wasn't totally wrecked. I hate people.
I would say that I've lost a total of 6 months' rent dealing with this (including the solicitor fees). Having said that, I feel I got "lucky" that I didn't have to go through the bailiffs, which would take longer and cost more in solicitor fees. At least it's now finally done. The thought of going through this all again in the future kills me - especially with the new govt making it harder to evict difficult tenants.
The house is now finally on the market so I am finally done with being a landlord. Never again.
Congratulations on getting your property back and good luck with the sale, I don't blame you for selling up at all.
Can you take the tenant to small claims court for lost rent, you might not get it back but atleast the tenant will end up with a ccj making it harder for them to do this to someone else.
It's an idea. I'm going through my insurance first, but if that is fruitless, I'll go through the small claims court
> especially with the new govt making it harder to evict difficult tenants
Which part of the renters rights bill do you mean here btw? While s21 is gone, not paying rent is a valid ground for repossession, albeit for 3, not 2 months arrears. Tbh if they clear the court backlogs like they've said they'll try to help with it'll be much faster to evict, not slower, since that's the actual problem at the moment rather than the law in clear cases like non payment of rent.
Good luck with the sale!
Well, the 3 months of arrears is a bit bullshit. And don't section 8s require a court hearing, compared to section 21s that usually don't? I assume that'll just make the backlogs worse. Happy to be wrong though!
Ah yes you're right, unless they change this, the current terms are s8 is standard possession order with a hearing and s21 is an accelerated order without one. If this part doesn't change it will greatly increase load on the courts.
>Tbh if they clear the court backlogs like they've said they'll try to help with it'll be much faster to evict,
I just can't see the backlog being cleared in significant number. Section 21s weren't being used to get rid of good tenants that pay on time and keep the house well maintained.... Section 21s were used as it's mandatory grounds for possession so you don't have to argue with the courts to get possession.
I think we have essentially the same number of cases in court, except instead of section 21s they will be section 8 etc.
There were a small number of landlords abusing the system by evicting with section 21s to then raise the rent with new tenants - but I think that was a very small number
>Tbh if they clear the court backlogs like they've said they'll try to help with it'll be much faster to evict
I just can't see the backlog being cleared in significant number. Section 21s weren't being used to get rid of good tenants that pay on time and keep the house well maintained.... Section 21s were used as it's mandatory grounds for possession so you don't have to argue with the courts to get possession.
I think we have essentially the same number of cases in court, except instead of section 21s they will be section 8 etc.
There were a small number of landlords abusing the system by evicting with section 21s to then raise the rent with new tenants - but I think that was a very small number
Non payment of rent, you must go through small claims. Then other landlords will see any poor credit reports
Council landlords won't give a shit
Don’t forget to sue the tenant.
Landlords who let them get away like this, reinforce that their behaviour is okay.
I am glad you’re now in a better situation.
You shouldn’t take it personally. Or let this experience change your soul!
My advice was not to accept the councils offer. Further I would have pointed out to the tenant that unless she cleared the arrears the council would never house her. But that just my approach!
Anyone in this situation should follow up on the arrears, get a CCJ. Anyone doing social housing should at least have that skill and experience in your landlord toolkit.
I remember that post. Ultimately, it was a toss up between getting some justice Vs ridding myself of the situation completely.
If I had chosen the first option, she'd still be in the house, still not looking after it, and worst of all, still stressing me out!
In hindsight, I feel I made the right call, even if I still feel it's been unfair
My friend had her entire kitchen painted in a single coat of paint by one tenant. Every surface the same paint colour, tiles, walls, cupboards the lot. Cost 10k to fix.
I swear it should be mandatory for all LLs to take out insurance to cover non paying tenants...
Its never worth chasing the tenant through the courts.
You will spend thousands and get nowhere. Even if you win you wont get even half the money.
It was either that or let her live in the house for free...forever. I couldn't deal with the section 21 myself as I'm not even in the country
😂😂😂 litterally living abroad and thinks he should be able to take money out of his tennants pockets and food out of there children's mouths!!!
I’m sorry to hear that. In the future you should definitely opt in for rent and legal protection insurance. It costs maybe £200 for the entire year but should your tenant ever fall into rental arrears, the insurer will pay you out in full.
🎻
Found a rogue tenant.
The bitterness in your post history speaks volumes. Perhaps one day you'll realise the world isn’t as black and white as your narrow outlook makes it seem. Until then, enjoy your violin - it seems to be your go-to instrument
Happy to be living rent free in your head, slumlord
That is the risk, that's why people make money from this, if there was no risk whatsoever why should you make returns of it? Free money? It's a risky investment, you're lucky you have not lost more money.
Not really. Landlords will just become increasingly cautious about who they let to, and charge more rent to cover any increased risk. Guess who doesn't win in this situation?
Your posts intrigue me. Looking back at posts from 6 months ago, you stated and I quote 'The only annoyance I had form the tenant was that the fridge door wouldn't close and it turned out that she hadn't shut it properly.'
5 months ago you stated 'high rental yield, tenant fine'
And then 3 months ago you posted this : Ah, trust me, I issued the section 21 because of numerous other problems. I probably wouldn't even sell if I had a nice tenant, but the thought of another tenant after this being as much trouble fills me with dread and stress. I just can't.
And yet within the past 3 months, she suddenly appeared to be a nightmare tenant.
So which is it?
Ah yes, as someone who has been a tenant for the last 20 years of my life, i understand landlords regularly worry about the "risk", using it as an excuse to take my hard earned pay and line their pockets. If the tenants end up being great why don't landlords give them a cash bonus after they leave? They don't.
I have paid 60% of my wages and got nothing for it, and can never afford a deposit for my own home. How does it feel spending other people's money? And not doing any work? Lying to yourself to make yourself feel good? Guess who does not win in the eyes of God in this situation?
Hope your life improves mate ♥️
My life is great. I don't have to live with the guilt that you have to live with everyday. Remember that, i'm happier than you.
If you owned a place you’d pay a huge percentage of your money on interest, only a tiny sliver of capital repayment so I don’t get this ‘nothing to show for it’ crap. You get a roof over your head.
You can only get a mortgage if you can pay it off before you die. This is why 50 year olds can't really get them. Silly response. How does it feel to take food out of children's mouths? And money out of peoples pockets?
What rubbish, you aren’t very bright are you. I’ve literally just remortgaged, and yes in that age band.
Yes get leveraged, i hope when the crash comes you cry about how you lost everything! Hopefully we put inheritance tax up even more so your family can remember how useless to society your exploitation of poor people is.
Ah yes, the crash! How big of a correction are you hoping for? I bought in 2007 when everyone was saying don't, recently sold that house for a 500k gain.
I'm a non resident landlord. I rented in HK for 10 years at 5k a month. It's just the cost of freedom/choices. I don't hold it against the landlord.
If I ‘lost everything’, I will not be worrying about inheritance tax. You are an idiot not a landlord. You’ve just come on here to insult landlords with no substance to your arguments, probably due to some aggrieved dogma because of something that’s gone wrong in your life. Perhaps focus on fixing those problems rather than attacking others for investing time and money in homes for people who need them.
> why don't landlords give them a cash bonus after they leave?
I do. It's called not increasing the rent while they live there in recognition of their good standing.