Help tenant being awkward paying

kazbabe

Have just popped round to my tenants to see if anyone was in so i could collect the rent. She isn't going to like me but her son was in, i have told him that this months rent is already 2 1/2 weeks late and i have come to see if she is in so that i could collect it. he seemed a bit shocked and said he would get his mum to contact me.
she hasnt contacted since yesterday when she said her battery was low, and would text once her phone has charged.
am now waiting to see what happens!!!

kazbabe

I text because its the only way i can contact her to arrange to collect the rent, she doesnt usually answer her phone.
i just didnt have this problem with my last tenants, was just looking for some advice.
We have been round just three times. I'm not out to harass anyone by no means.
I will be sending a letter tomorrow. Thank you for your help.

furndire

Did you get your rent?

kunekune

My alarm bells started ringing with T saying she can't do direct debits/standing orders, and only dealing in cash.

Is she bankrupt? The fact that she has a job doesn't exclude that possibility.

zzzLazyDaisy

What about the son? He is also named on the tenancy - why can't the SO be made through his bank account?

In fact, why are you bothering to deal with the mother at all - if the son is a joint tenant, he is jointly and severally liable for the whole rent, not just 'his' half.

Jowo_2

kazbabe wrote: »

Thank you all for your advise.

I am trying to get in touch with the tenant to have a face to face conversation and she makes arrangements and then breaks them every time it gets close to it. ..I understand that she should have quiet enjoyment, but how else am i suppose to contact the tenant if she wont reply to anything.

...The son is named on the tenancy agreement as he is 19 yrs old. I do believe he doesn't know. As before when she was short the other month she told me he knows nothing about it.
...

You have already been instructed not to do anything that could be construed as harassing the tenant. Ensure all future communication is in writing, recorded delivery, keep a copy. You should have either issued the S21 by now (make sure you do this properly as failure to complete it correctly will render it invalid) or have issued a letter to both tenants saying that you want the arrears paid by x day and returned to you with a complete Standing order form or you will serve notice. Make it clear that there is no tolerance for any future default and any arrears in the future will trigger the end of the tenancy.

The son is a joint tenant. He is jointly and severally liable. Make sure he knows you will pursue him for the rent.

Be professional in your dealings - this is a business transaction. Do not seek face to face meetings with the tenant or via phone. You are likely to get sob stories anyway.

Jowo_2

kazbabe wrote: »

I text because its the only way i can contact her to arrange to collect the rent, she doesnt usually answer her phone.
i just didnt have this problem with my last tenants, was just looking for some advice.
.

You don't need to fit in with her - she needs to cooperate with you. Texts and verbal agreements won't stand up in court in the same way that correspondance will sent by recorded delivery.

clutton_2

Stop believing this tenant now. i have been a LL for 10 years and your excuses are oh so familiar. You have to act -

1)Join National Landlords Association today (joining fees are tax deductible"

2)Download a Section 21 notice and a Section 8 notice

3)Phone their legal helpline and get their help how to fill it in

4)Serve a Section 21 and/or Section 8 by hand through the letter box with a witness in your car who will sign a Witness Statement that you have done so.

5) wait either 2 weeks or 2 months (minimum) - then issue court proceedings

Dont think you will get your money - you probably never will - tenants who muck about like this NEVER change

kazbabe

I got part payment of the arrears. but once again im getting those stories again. I have written to her as a reminder letter for the arrears but had no communication from her at all.
I have now sent a final reminder letter giving her 7 days for sort this matter out then monday she will be receiving a notice to quit.

Can anybody tell me what date I should put on there for them to leave as their fixed term contract run out and we havent renewed it due to this continuous problem?

I did have contact with the son and he dealt with the matter the first time but this second time they have made no communication. I have done everythng by letter but they are not replying in any shape or form!!!

Yes i am an amatuer landlord, but i have just one property that was my ex marital home which was going to be an investment for my 2 children out of that marriage.

N79

S21 notice should end on the last day of a rental period and provide at least two months notice.

Post dates if you want more advice.