Would you offer this family a tenancy ?

clutton_2

""The fact that she says wants your property, & doesn't call you back is enough for me.""

i had texted her a number to call and i said i would call her back if she had no credit.

i am reluctantly beginning to agree with the "no" vote.

She paid me £50 admin fee yesterday - and she knows that is not refundable - its all most odd

i will keep the forum informed

sooz

Trust your instincts. You've been in the business for long enough.
The fact that you are even asking means your instinct is saying NO.

clutton_2

""The fact that you are even asking means your instinct is saying NO""

i think you are right - this property has been empty since january and i am letting my emotions rule my business decisions....

socrates

clutton wrote: »

""The fact that you are even asking means your instinct is saying NO""

i think you are right - this property has been empty since january and i am letting my emotions rule my business decisions....

I am assuming you have been to your Local Authority - and asked for candidates who are on their Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme and Housing Associations?

As you were considering this tenant - they will have more of the same but probably less problematic and with a deposit.

The Housing Assoc. should take of your hands for a long time BUT will have a list of modifications from here to kingdom come.

I am making these assumptions but I do not know the state of play in your area - in London this is the norm

teeni

clutton wrote: »

i have looked in greater detail at rent statement for the past 4 years, and there are 2 items of repairs, and a £150 court fee on there. i need to discuss these with her.

i called her this afternoon and she was picking up the little boy from school and asked if i could call back. When i called back - phone switched off

i have sent her a text asking her to call this evening..... we will see

when folks dont return calls........ it is VERY rarely for medical emergency reasons.......

more later

Clutton you have always appeared to be a fair landlord when responding on this site just a thought re the court costs L/a would have issued court proceedings re the arrears which you know about, tenant said arrears about £200
you think £350, the difference is the court costs, not rent arrears so is she technically correct in her figures. also the repair cost could be because she has suffered domestic violence and her ex partner caused damage that she has to cover the costs of as the tenant. In my line I often get clients who are in this position and leave l/a accommodation as a means of a fresh start when they cannot prove their situation sufficiently to allow the homeless department to accept a duty to move them and cant achieve a transfer because of the rent arrears, transfers are not allowed where there are rent arrears what ever the reason for them and it could have been because of a housing benefit !!!! up that went unresolved. Hope she gets in touch to answer your questions, always look at the side of a tenant me as i am not allowed to help landlords in my job.

Will look forward to seeing which way your decide to go, keep us all updated.

socrates

teeni wrote: »

Clutton you have always appeared to be a fair landlord when responding on this site just a thought re the court costs L/a would have issued court proceedings re the arrears which you know about, tenant said arrears about £200
you think £350, the difference is the court costs, not rent arrears so is she technically correct in her figures. also the repair cost could be because she has suffered domestic violence and her ex partner caused damage that she has to cover the costs of as the tenant. In my line I often get clients who are in this position and leave l/a accommodation as a means of a fresh start when they cannot prove their situation sufficiently to allow the homeless department to accept a duty to move them and cant achieve a transfer because of the rent arrears, transfers are not allowed where there are rent arrears what ever the reason for them and it could have been because of a housing benefit !!!! up that went unresolved. Hope she gets in touch to answer your questions, always look at the side of a tenant me as i am not allowed to help landlords in my job.

Will look forward to seeing which way your decide to go, keep us all updated.

Glad you took a breath at the end there!

teeni

socrates wrote: »

Glad you took a breath at the end there!

I have stayed away from the housing site for a long time because I get fully absorbed in it. I spend all day dealing with housing/homelessness law and my hubby says i am obsessed. To prove i am not I have been keeping away and only peeping back on while he is out.
However tonight i am waiting for a tel call to go and collect him from a night out on the town and am desperately trying to stay awake.

Must remember to breathe though or i wont be much good as a taxi will I.

franklee

Like others I'm uncomfortable about her leaving council housing for a private let, seems a bad thing to do and for no gain as the ex is almost certain to track her down, following home from school etc. It seems to me she needs help to sort the ex out more than anything else.

As for the property empty since January not much room to improve it as it's well carpeted and newly decorated, so dropping the asking rent to get more applicants would seem the way to go. Occupancy at a lower rent is better than being empty.

zoelouise88

She tells me she is wanting to move because her ex is threatening her, and she told me she is living in a different house from the one she rents from the housing assocation. She has not put this temporary address on her tenancy application form


Many people have said about her fleeing from teh violent ex saying he will more than likely track her down and saying about her leaving council for a private but ... have you considered she may share the council house shes in with her violent ex partner (he may be threatening her if she doesnt move out) which is why she wants to move into yoru property - the council will not house her or chuck her ex out if they have a joint teenancy. Maybe that is why shes not living at the house she rents.

zoelouise88

clutton wrote: »

My main concern is financial. She has voluntarily brought me her income support documentation, which show that she is entitled to £60.50 per week, but she has 2 deductions - amounting to £20.80p.w. leaving her £39.70 per week for herself - obiously plus her child benefit.

I cannot see how she can possibly survive on this money ......

Which means she will be left with over £170 a week

ctc for 2 children 2x£50=£100
cb for eldest child £20
cb for youngest children £13
+ her 39.70
total of £172.70 (just a rough guide)