Updating post from Reddit.
Hello again. I've asked my tenant to move out on July 31st. He texted last night to ask if it woukd be okay if I used the deposit for this last month's rent. He's been a late payer all along. I just want rid of him now. Should I do this?
That is an excellent way for him to ensure he gets his deposit returned, really clever.
Phrase it another way, would you return the deposit the same day you receive the last month's payment? Because that's what he is asking. It means he has nothing to lose when it comes to damages.
Yes...thought this. But on his record of late payments... this could drag out for the next 29 days anyway. I'm not sure what to do.
Please be careful and issue a s21 notice chances are you give tenants back the deposit and they don't leave then plays the long eviction game. I have seen this a few times on here. Landlords verbally say a date to leave give tenants the deposit money then never leave resulting in s21 and courts etc to evict.
No, we gave notice of 2 months already, and this was agreed. I think I'll ask for the rent instead and advise him that by allowing him to use the deposit now, I have no come back if there is any damage come July 31st. And see what his reply is to that.
How often have you inspected and when was the last inspection?
Whether you agree or not do you believe he’ll easily pay for the month or for potential deductions?
If you take that deposit as rent then you need to weigh up other potential losses and the timescale to recoup the cost from him…absolute worst case (discounting insurance or criminal involvement) is you need to go through MCOL which you are awarded and they enter a payment plan which never gets paid, end of the day it doesn’t matter what the courts award if they don’t have the money you’ll never see it
Are you 100% confident you won’t need any money from the deposit?
No. I suppose I could ask to do a viewing tomorrow before ai agree to anything.