problem tenants

PasturesNew

grace1990 wrote: »

I didn't handle all the paperwork or anything, my husband did, but I own the house. But surely they can't damage my property and get away with it? Did an inspection an hour ago and the place is disgusting, so much damage.

Yes, they can. And, they have.

Soot2006

But surely they can't damage my property and get away with it?

Once they are out, you can then take steps to have everything fixed/cleaned to return it to the same condition as when they rented it and as specified on the inventory.

clutton_2

""But surely they can't damage my property and get away with it"

you can take money from their deposit for damage - but ONLY if you provided them with an inventory of condition which you both signed

princeofpounds

Can they? Yes. To be honest, most damage is not a problem as long as they fix it - anyone can break a window and no-one deserves to get thrown out on that basis. It seems they have gone beyond this of course, but a rented house cannot be a pristine object so damage in itself is an unavoidable risk.

Can they get away with it? Maybe, maybe not. It will not be hard, but it will be a bit tedious, to get court rulings that in theory give you the right to pursue for damages. Enforcing it can be tricky and you might not end up with a wholly satisfying result for anything that is not covered by the deposit.

If you can take evidence from these inspections then that gives you additional material to add a ground to your Section 8 notice. Here is a list of grounds: http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/grounds_for_possession.htm. A judge is not going to throw someone out for a broken window or chipped hob. They might do if someone is lighting fires in the living room.

mlz1413

grace1990 wrote: »

I didn't handle all the paperwork or anything, my husband did, but I own the house. But surely they can't damage my property and get away with it? Did an inspection an hour ago and the place is disgusting, so much damage.

Can your husband deal with the tenants now, does he have the knowledge, time and experience? If so leave it to him and the solicitor.

Damage should be recitified but not necessarily instantly.

The place maybe disgusting but that is nothing to do with you until the property is handed back - you take the rent so that the tenants can live how they wish, that will only change if you start paying them to live how you wish.

"so much damage" is this because stuff is dirty or because if needs repairing? Remember that this house is now a business and not your home.

"I want them out asap" - personal opinion is not vaild in the eyes of the law, you have been given the advice of how to proceed with this situation and good advice on the whole situation.

It maybe distressing to see your ex-home abused but that is part of being a LL, you will become hardened to it if you continue to rent it out. Looks like you are learning the hard way but take the lessons and vet the next people better, take a larger deposit and a guarantor and get LL insurance.

Good Luck