We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

my tenant has done a runner, advice needed

polly7_2
polly7_2 Posts: 35 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi, I had a tenant who has done a runner and taken the house keys with him. he has also taken all window lock keys and french door keys. It will cost me £200 to have new locks fitted. He also ruined carpet which is costing £200 for replacement and other damage which is minor. He has no forwarding address and the only phone number I have is a mobile and he refuses to answer it.. Can I take him to small claims court or will it end up costing me more, also how will they find him or won't they bother. This is a nightmare as I can't relet it until work is done but I can't afford to have work done without his money. He also left a camcorder, how long must I hang on to it before I can sell it to recoup some of my losses.
thanks
«13456

Comments

  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    polly7 wrote: »
    Hi, I had a tenant who has done a runner and taken the house keys with him. he has also taken all window lock keys and french door keys. It will cost me £200 to have new locks fitted. He also ruined carpet which is costing £200 for replacement and other damage which is minor. He has no forwarding address and the only phone number I have is a mobile and he refuses to answer it.. Can I take him to small claims court or will it end up costing me more, also how will they find him or won't they bother. This is a nightmare as I can't relet it until work is done but I can't afford to have work done without his money. He also left a camcorder, how long must I hang on to it before I can sell it to recoup some of my losses.
    thanks
    sell the camcorder NOW
  • Daft_Pegasus
    Daft_Pegasus Posts: 189 Forumite
    Sorry to hear this, but it's not uncommon.

    If you go to the small claims court you'll need to provide his address which you say you don't have. Even if you got it he could move again.

    When it happened to me I traced the tennant and they agreed to pay the arrears (over £1000) at £10 a month (all they could afford). After 4 months the payments stopped and they had moved again. I gave up and put it down to experience. Hopefully the deposit goes some way to covering these costs.

    IIRC you need to keep the camcorder for 6 months but I'd suggest to get confirmation as I'm not confident on this.
  • eco123
    eco123 Posts: 152 Forumite
    Or you could...

    Put the video (if any) from the camcorder on youtube & advertise him/her as the scamming thief that he/she is...revenge can be so sweet :D

    ...oh...& then sell the camcorder!
  • Guy_Montag
    Guy_Montag Posts: 2,291 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yeah, anything interesting on the camcorder:grouphug:
    "Mrs. Pench, you've won the car contest, would you like a triumph spitfire or 3000 in cash?" He smiled.
    Mrs. Pench took the money. "What will you do with it all? Not that it's any of my business," he giggled.
    "I think I'll become an alcoholic," said Betty.
  • HugoSP
    HugoSP Posts: 2,467 Forumite
    eco123 wrote: »
    Or you could...

    Put the video (if any) from the camcorder on youtube & advertise him/her as the scamming thief that he/she is...revenge can be so sweet :D

    I like it, but make sure it is him/her on the video. For all you know the camcorder could have been stolen from someone else who is quite unconnected.
    ...oh...& then sell the camcorder!

    Assuming that it was the tenant's property
    Behind every great man is a good woman
    Beside this ordinary man is a great woman
    £2 savings jar - now at £3.42:rotfl:
  • hjb123
    hjb123 Posts: 32,002 Forumite
    did he pay you a deposit that you could use to pay for the damage?
    Weight Loss - 102lb
  • hjb123
    hjb123 Posts: 32,002 Forumite
    Guy_Montag wrote: »
    Yeah, anything interesting on the camcorder:grouphug:

    that icon so doesnt look like a group hug - it looks more like a group something else!:D think it needs renaming!:D
    Weight Loss - 102lb
  • chappers
    chappers Posts: 2,988 Forumite
    Did you have any references such as his employer, previous address etc Hope you took a deposit. is his tennancy up, has he any rent arrears etc.
    If legally it is ok for you to take the house back over then I would just cut your losses and get it re-let as soon as possible.
    As has already been said you need an address to chase him through the small claims and then even if you do get a judgement, then enforcing it is another matter altogether.
    Sell the camcorder now.
  • Swan_2
    Swan_2 Posts: 7,060 Forumite
    hjb123 wrote: »
    that icon so doesnt look like a group hug - it looks more like a group something else!:D think it needs renaming!:D
    hover your mouse over it :cool:


    sorry to hear of your problems polly, you'll get lots of good advice & support here
  • MissMoneypenny
    MissMoneypenny Posts: 5,324 Forumite
    polly7 wrote: »
    He also left a camcorder, how long must I hang on to it before I can sell it to recoup some of my losses.
    thanks

    What if he doesn't own the camcorder? If it was stolen, then you will be handling stolen goods if you sell it.

    Can't you just use £400 from the money you put aside for repairs, or for paying the mortgage when you get voids? Then you could let it out again and try to find the previous tenant later.
    RENTING? Have you checked to see that your landlord has permission from their mortgage lender to rent the property? If not, you could be thrown out with very little notice.
    Read the sticky on the House Buying, Renting & Selling board.


This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture