Tenant constantly late in paying rent

socrates

Biciitalia wrote: »

Just a quick update - rent was due on 17th September - now owed 450 (full rent 525 minus 12 percent for LA) LA states that the tenant will not receive rent until last wednesday in the month (so would have been the 30th September) - tenant told by LA to keep me the LL onside by making an interim payment of 75 pounds which is the deficit from the benefits received from Government - not paid anything or got in contact since the visit of LA 2 weeks ago (plus LA asked the living arrangements - tenant stated b/f stays there 4 nights per week - is this co-habiting?) - gash excuses all the time for non communication the first time - mobile not working etc - grandma died - even LA quering latter - tenant stated that benefits office had messed up the payments - can serve section 21 on 17th october - severly tempted to do so - not running a charity - any advice as always greatfully received.

Firstly the LA @ 12% is far too expensive.

Have you told the Local Auth to suspend the claim - like you was advised at the beginning of the thread by me.

Read the whole thread back and follow the steps - simple fact is while she is getting money from them and pocketing it she is never going to give you a penny - EVER!

Forget about the morals, forget about the BF - he is neither here nor there, follow the steps we have all advised you...

Jowo_2

Biciitalia wrote: »

On a positive note there is a 660 pound bond that is protected. There is

There's no positive note if the LA did not undertake an inventory or schedule of condition - did they and has the tenant signed it?

Jowo_2

Biciitalia wrote: »

Just a quick update - rent was due on 17th September - now owed 450 (full rent 525 minus 12 percent for LA) .

I don't understand this figure and why its split out. How much, according to the tenancy agreement, should the tenant have paid for the rent by now, the total arrears.

Jowo_2

Biciitalia wrote: »

gash excuses all the time for non communication the first time - mobile not working etc - grandma died - - tenant stated that benefits office had messed up the payments - .

You should not be entering into any kind of conversation with the tenant about their private life or being manoevred into a position where you are exposed to their sob stories anyway. Be business-like and keep your communication brief, diplomatic and solely related to the arrears, keeping a copy.

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/rent%20arrears.htm
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/rent_arrears_evictions.htm

Biciitalia wrote: »

can serve section 21 on 17th october - severly tempted to do so .

This can be served at the outset of the tenancy, many landlords and their agents due this to ensure its easier to take back the property at the end of the initial 6 month fixed period instead of it rolling into 8 months before it takes effect.

Many S21s are incorrectly completed - a very large minority get instantly thrown out at court for simple mistakes. Make sure you research how to complete and serve them or you will double or treble your costs and the duration to evict.

You indicated that she moved into the property in June on a 6 month contract and rent is due on the 17th which means the fixed term is due to expire on 16th Dec - are you aware that the notice period of this is 2 months meaning that if you serve it on the 17th October, you may miss another rental period and it will not expire until Jan? Others on the forum are more au fait with dates and confirm if I am correct or not - S21s aren't my forte.