Garage renter hasn't paid for 12 months, what can we do?

silvercar

AndrewDE said:

davidmcn said:

You say it's a "long term renter", but what's the term of the lease? i.e. how quickly could either party terminate it if there weren't a breach?

In the usual run of things, either party would have to give three month's notice to end the contract

So serve 3 months notice. One copy on the garage door and another pushed underneath it.
I would include something to the effect that you will store the goods inside for a maximum of 28 days after which you will dispose of them.

Norman_Castle

AndrewDE said:

 One of our long term renters said that a family member was going to be taking over the payments and gave me details which proved insufficient to set up new payments or send out a new contract.

Start by contacting them. I'd suspect they believe their occupation has ended and with the lack of use of the garage the family member has changed their mind (or was never interested, just an excuse not to clear the garage). I wouldn't be surprised if the items stored in the garage are worthless tat the long term renter has abandoned. Did they return the keys on a date agreed by both you and them? If not I'd consider them to still be the tenant and without contact, payment or any sign of visiting the garage I'd consider it vacated a year ago. Give them notice it will be entered and cleared without notice and payment from them. If you do clear it photograph what is in there.

greatcrested

Still very unclear:

* who owns the garage? Seem to be a freeholder, and a leaseholder - who has the contract with the renter?

* who is the renter? You mention a change of renter, but who agreed this? The originalcontract with the originalrenter continues until it is either ended or assigned. Did either of those two things happen? When? How?

* what are the exact terms (please quote) in the contract with regards to arrears?

* what are the exact terms (please quote) in the contract with regards to terminating the contract?

* regarding the failure to pay, it is for the renter to pay, not the owner to take payment. It's certainky unlikely a direct debit could be set up (unless you are a company?). The renter needs to set up a Standing Order.

* you need to demand payment from whoever you have the contract with - see my query above. They cannot simply claim someone else is paying or should be paying.

theartfullodger

AndrewDE said:

Garage renter hasn't paid for 12 months, what can we do?

Today at 8:53AM in House Buying, Renting & Selling

13 replies 408 views

Evict under the terms of the garage tenancy agreement, obviously:

And then try to understand why you've done nothing about it for 12 months when you could have been taking action (both over unpaid rent & eviction) and likely sorted it all out months ago, sorted one way or another.  Plus resolve whenever in future there is a proposed change to tenancy terms you normally refuse, but if persuaded to agree then only do so AFTER a new tenancy agreement is signed.

Just my thoughts, others will hold alternative views...

Best wishes to all forum members.