Tenant suspected of drug dealing

jeffbadger

Hi all,

I rent out a residential property through an AST and a letting agent. They've just informed me that a neighbour has told them they believe the tenant is drug dealing from the property (as well as holding all night parties). I'm not aware yet whether the police have been informed.

What should I do now? I guess I have a legal duty to inform the police? But I also guess that I cannot evict the tenant without any evidence that they have committed the crime? I visited the property and spoke to the tenant a couple of weeks ago and there was absolutely no sign of any of this activity - place was spotless and she seemed very nice.

If anyone could help at all I'd really appreciate it, very worried about this turn of events.

theartfullodger

Could be neighbour is just being malicious....



Get the agent to ask them that as they've kindly told you did they get crime ref. from the Police when they reported it & would they write a letter conforming what they said. £10 says they won't.

It's tricky. Almost certainly such a rumour is not enough grounds to get them out, but if you believe it to be true I'd suggest agent mentions it to the police - but as hearsay, not as anything you know for sure... and when /if they are in periodic get them out via. S21..

btw what drugs ?? Some are legal (Alcohol..._)

mike5678

theartfullodger wrote: »

did they get crime ref. from the Police when they reported it

To clarify, if police were called in this incident, the informant would not be given a crime reference number, as this is only given to a victim of crime, the informant here is not a victim, particularly as this is classified as a victimless crime. A crime reference number would only be generated once police had attended and confirmed that a crime had taken place. However, the informant if they did indeed call the police to notify, would have been given a CAD (computer aided despatch) number, which is a reference point of recording their call and what was said.

Anyway, quite off topic but nevermind!

jeffbadger

Thanks for your help - no idea what kind of drugs or how the (anonymous) neighbour knows drugs are involved. As you say, it is all hearsay at the moment but I just want to be ready to take action if necessary.
If any allegations were to be proven, would it even be worth trying to evict mid-contract? The AST is up in Nov with 2 months notice required so I guess any forced eviction would take longer than this anyway?

lynzpower

Do you know the neighbours Jeff, are they the sort of people that might make up these allegations of drug dealing if they qare aggreived by "loud music" or visitors coming and going?

jeffbadger

I wouldn't have thought they would make this stuff up but neither would I have pegged our tenant as a drug-running party animal!
What is slightly strange is she's been in for 8 months now and this is the first instance of it - seems a bit off to me.

Jowo_2

When was the last time the property was inspected? Are you sure its not been sublet?

zzzLazyDaisy

Do you belong to a Landlord Association? If so, they should have a telephone advice line. You really do need to seek advice, as you are at risk of criminal prosecution if your tenant is dealing in drugs.

More info here

Edited - invalid link

bingibongi

Well why dont you go and speak to the neighbours and see how long they have been having problems with your tenants.

RecoveringAlcoholic

Check out:

"Crack House Closure Orders"


.

jeffbadger

Inspected the property myself a fortnight ago - it's absolutely immaculate, no signs of anything untoward and definitely not being sublet (or being hidden very well).

I'm not in contact with my neighbours - house in Liverpool, I'm in London so tricky for me to get back up. Will try and arrange something soon to head back up.

As far as legal liability goes, I was under the impression that I was only at risk if I knew of any drug dealing and failed to act - not quite sure how I can act based on one unsubstantiated complaint through my agent, or am I wrong about this?