Non paying tenant - help please!

mummysaver

Hi there! Has anyone any experience or advice about what to do about a tenant who has not paid her rent since April?

Situation is slightly complicated as she is, or perhaps was, a friend! I don't know if it makes any difference to anything, but she is in receipt of housing benefit. She is leaving in July as she is returning to where her family live so her child can start the new school year there in September. I don't really want to cause everyone a lot of stress, but I'm beginning to see no alternative.

I have spoken to her several times about not paying, and she says she has no money, well nor do I if she doesn't pay! I just wondered if anyone had been through this and how they had handled it and the outcome.

I am going to speak to citizen's advice, and am hoping that it will not come to small claims court, but I just don't know!

Any advice and experience sharing will be very gratefully received. Thank you!

cobbingstones

Hi

You would get better advice on the housing renting board who all seem experts on this these sort of situations.

Good luck

MM

BARGAINHUNTER!

Do you have a contract with her or just an informal agreement? If she is getting housing benefit that is for her rent, so she must have spent it on something else if she now says she has no money! Keep on at her and ask her how she intends to pay you the money she owes. The longer you leave it the worse it becomes for both you and her. Thats the difficulty of mixing friendship with busines. If everything works out - great, if it dosen't you may damage the friendship forever unfortunately.

floss2

Does she have a tenancy agreement? Does she have a rent book?

It is possible that her Housing Benefit has been changed for Housing Allownce - check with your local council whether they are paying her direct, or if there is any problem with her claim.

Otherwise, why not go round & speak to her - say something like "I know we're friends, but this situation can't go on. Either you pay the rent you owe, or I will have to take advice on recovering the money". That may be enough to shake her up. Also, if she is already leaving in July, you need to be sure she doesn't just do a runner.

mummysaver

Wow, super speedy advice, thanks very much to everyone! Will have to get out the agreement we have and find out about her housing benefit, didn't realise it made a difference whether it was benefit or allowance. Will also have a look on the housing renting board - didn't know there was one! Will try to find it now, thanks very much for the tips.

CJ2405

If she is in receipt of housing benefit, and is more than 8 weeks in arrears, by speaking to the housing benefit office at your local council, you can have the payment stopped to her, and paid directly to yourself.

floss2

CJ2405 wrote: »

If she is in receipt of housing benefit, and is more than 8 weeks in arrears, by speaking to the housing benefit office at your local council, you can have the payment stopped to her, and paid directly to yourself.

I'm not sure if that still applies under the new Housing Allowance scheme. As suggested, contact your local Council for advice on HB/HA.