Tenant left without paying the rent & trashed the flat

LittleLeo_2

Hi,
I need some advice...

My tenants skipped out without paying 2 weeks rent and they trashed the place and broke some of the furniture.
They did not pay their rent for 6 weeks and I tried several times to get the rent and started eviction proceedings. They said that I must use the 4 weeks deposit to cover the missing rent and the will give me the outstanding 2 weeks rent upon leaving the premises, however when I went to the premises they had left without paying and had trashed the place.

There is approx. £500 in damages and they owe £350 in rent plus interest and I would also like to try get lost income for future rent, as estate agents tried to get access to the property to show it but were denied access by the tenants.

They have left no forwarding address and I only have one tenants parents address.

What is the best route to get the outstanding rent and compensation for the damages from them - debt collection, ballifs, the court, etc....

brightonman123

do you have their previous adddress? may have gone back there.. or perhaps worth writing to employer if known... think you will need an address before taking court action (where will summons go, etc?)

failing this, do an ad on gumtree ('missed connection' style, or 'cheap flat to rent' with similar location, and see if they bite again..)

catkins

Go to the Police and they will pursue for criminal damage. I know this as a friend had the same problem. One interview with the Police produced the missing rent and all the costs associated withgetting the place put right. I suggest you get a couple of quotes for the work required to show the Police.

Fire_Fox

You have no legal right to show a flat to prospective tenants while you have sitting tenants as they are entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' of their home. This overrides any clause you might have added to the tenancy agreement, so there is no mileage in claiming for missed rent.

Don't you have employers details? You only need to find one tenant as they are jointly and severally liable for the damages and rent arrears under a joint tenancy agreement. Do you have a detailed check-in inventory, including the condition of the fixtures fittings and decor, and do you have photographic evidence of the damage?

Soot2006

I would also like to try get lost income for future rent, as estate agents tried to get access to the property to show it but were denied access by the tenants.

You can forget that bit as Ts have absolute right to deny access to their home.

What kind of agreement where your Ts on - how long had they been in the property, was their deposit protected, etc!

roses

You can sue due to loss of rent due to damage caused by them leaving the place inhabitable. Chances of getting any money may be slim if they don't work.

Can you send a court summons to the parents address which you have?

LittleLeo_2

Hi, thanks for the advice...
In reply, I do not have their employment details as they work on contract and have left the employer they were with when I sent up the agreement. The main damage is to an expensive bed frame which they broke and I need to replace. Also the carpets have cigarette burns and drink stains on them - I have had to get them professionally cleaned. I have taken photos of all the damage and the mess they left behind and a full inventory.
I have the address details of the parents of one tenant - should I raise a claim against them, focussing on this tenant and get all correspondense sent to this address?
Which is the best course of action to take from here?

thanks

SouthCoast

Is the damage covered by your insurance?

clutton_2

read Eagerlearner's thread on here - it shows the difficulties of getting money out of someone if you dont have their address

alunharford

Did the TDS give you back the deposit?

Fire_Fox

Are you a member of a landlord's association? Now would be the time to join.