So, my tenant left the country without paying rent

msrisotto

And left the place in a mess.

Is there absolutely anything I can do? Unfortunately the deposit is only equal to the last months rent. He left a lot of work to do and nicked a mattress.

I am out of pocket due to this. Anything I can do?

thanks for any help.

Thrugelmir

msrisotto wrote: »

I am out of pocket due to this. Anything I can do?

Learn from the lesson.

msrisotto

Thanks. I hadn't thought of that.

G_M

Have you go his address? Write him a letter and ask for your money in the normal way!

No address? Employ a private eye in whatever country you think he may have gone to.

No reply to your letter? Whether you can take legal action depends on the country. Is it EC?

But as Thrugelmir says, next time do proper ID/credit checks and if tenant has poor credit record in UK and or is overseas resident, either take larger deposit (but never more than 2 months!) or better still seek a UK guarantor.

msrisotto

It's Australia, I found his linked in profile. I have requested the money in the normal way, no response yet. He had a satisfactory credit check, the lettings agency said he could more than afford to pay the rent on his own and he was sharing with a second tenant. I never really heard from her but he always paid the rent so it didn't bother me whether they'd split up or whatever. I know now to take 6 weeks rent.

dimbo61

have you got enough details to take him to the small claims court and get a CCJ against his name ?
Its funny how so many people go to OZ or USA and come back 12/18 months later because they are over 25 and cant get a work permit.
If he does return he will need to apply for credit ( phone, loan, rental checks !!! ) and a CCJ will remind him that he cant ignore his debts.
CCJ,s last 6 years and he wont get a mortgage

Thrugelmir

msrisotto wrote: »

Thanks. I hadn't thought of that.

You are running a business not an investment. So the rent you charge , deposit you take etc. Need to reduce the potential risk of loss. Bad tenants, bad debts are a fact of business life. Often happens when you least expect it.

G_M

msrisotto wrote: »

It's Australia, I found his linked in profile. I have requested the money in the normal way, no response yet. He had a satisfactory credit check, the lettings agency said he could more than afford to pay the rent on his own and he was sharing with a second tenant. I never really heard from her but he always paid the rent so it didn't bother me whether they'd split up or whatever. I know now to take 6 weeks rent.

On holiday, or is he Australian...? If he's Australian, then whatever credit check was done was meaningless because he could leave the country owing you..... Oh, hmmm, yes, he's already done that!

If he's British, what UK address do you have?

You do not say whether the tenancy ended or not.Did he just 'jump' or did the tenancy end and he left owing rent etc?

If the tenancy never ended, you can serve court papers on him at the property address since he is still the tenant. If he doesn't respond, you'll win by default. Of course, you won't get paid till he comes back, if ever, but he will have a CCJ.

... he was sharing with a second tenant

err... on what basis?
Were they joint tenants? In a 'jointly and severally' liable tenancy? If so, claim off the joint tenant!

James_N

msrisotto wrote: »

And left the place in a mess.

Is there absolutely anything I can do? Unfortunately the deposit is only equal to the last months rent. He left a lot of work to do and nicked a mattress.

I am out of pocket due to this. Anything I can do?

thanks for any help.

at least SIX weeks rent as a deposit ..

marywooyeah

G_M wrote: »

No reply to your letter? Whether you can take legal action depends on the country. Is it EC?

EU!

OP how many weeks rent does he owe? you might just have to write it off if he's left the country.

G_M

marywooyeah wrote: »

EU!

No. EC.

I was referring to the Republic of.

Taking action for the arrears through the courts over there would be problomatic to say the least.