Tenant damaged property

[Deleted User]

Having been in a DV situation it can take years to completely split up. She is obviously going in the right direction and he may not be allowed back, but stats say it takes several attempts before the break is permanent.

Unfortunately, you are unlikely to be able to get him to pay for the damage in spite of him causing it. He's probably sofa surfing now and will just turn up on her doorstep to torment her for a while. She might be able to get a protection order, Women's Aid will help her with that.

Can you replace the damaged door panel(s)?

DaftyDuck

I don't feel I'm making a very constructive comment but, under the difficult circumstances it might be best to make a temporary repair or, at most, use the cheapest product available. From deanna's comment, you might well face a further repair, and best it's not on a brand-new £800 door...

Pixie5740

Landlords' repair responsibilities include:

* the structure and exterior of the building, including the walls, stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and windows
* sinks, baths, toilets and other sanitary fittings, including pipes and drains
* heating and hot water
* chimneys and ventilation
* electrical wiring

So the OP will have to repair/replace the front door and then pursue one or both of the tenants for the cost of having to do so.

Tread carefully before setting up a new tenancy agreement in her name only. You don't want him coming back and accusing you of illegally evicting him.

cyantist

Guest101 wrote: »

Avoid having expensive things in rental properties. She's a single mum on benefits, what are the realistic chances of you getting payment?

We don't have expensive things in there really, but even so putting right damages can still be expensive. Even though she is a single mum now, she does work and has said already she wants to stay and will cover costs of damage. I don't see why being on benefits means she wouldn't pay what she says she will.

Regarding eviction - what you're saying makes a lot of sense. So if I give them both notice to move out, and then have a new agreement for her only starting immediately after they would otherwise have to leave, is there a downside to this? It also might help her as currently, as people have pointed out, he legally lives there and so it's harder for her to keep him out. This would legally evict him, right?

deannatrois wrote: »

Having been in a DV situation it can take years to completely split up. She is obviously going in the right direction and he may not be allowed back, but stats say it takes several attempts before the break is permanent.

Unfortunately, you are unlikely to be able to get him to pay for the damage in spite of him causing it. He's probably sofa surfing now and will just turn up on her doorstep to torment her for a while. She might be able to get a protection order, Women's Aid will help her with that.

Can you replace the damaged door panel(s)?

I'm sorry you were in a DV situation as well. I hope that she won't allow him back but I know it's not unlikely this will happen.
I'll look into replacing just the panel. It might be an option and would certainly be cheaper, thanks.

Pixie5740

cyantist wrote: »

Regarding eviction - what you're saying makes a lot of sense. So if I give them both notice to move out, and then have a new agreement for her only starting immediately after they would otherwise have to leave, is there a downside to this? It also might help her as currently, as people have pointed out, he legally lives there and so it's harder for her to keep him out. This would legally evict him, right?

Your notice does not end the tenancy. The tenant serving notice on the other hand does end the tenancy and only one of the joint tenants has to serve notice to end the tenancy for all of them.

dimbo61

" Would this be covered under landlord's insurance, or does that only apply when the tenant has actually moved out? "

Landlords Insurance will not cover Criminal Damage by the tenant

G_M

1) the tenancy.
Fixed Term? Start date? Term?
Or Periodic?

You cannot simply start a new tenancy without first ending the current one, which can only be done in the usual way (which depends on answers to the Qs above)

2) new tenancy
You sure you want her as a sole tenant? Does she pass affordability checks on her own?

3) repairs
As LL you have a duty to repair the structure of the property. So do so.

3) Liability
a) claim on your insurance? Does it cover malicious damage by temants?
b) Send bill to one or both joint tenants. You can claim from either or both
c) Police. Get crime number for a case of criminal damage.

4)