Tenant Can’T/won’T Pay Rent.....

[Smowball]

We own a house up north and the tenant and his family have lived in it for 2 years. He was in it when we bought it at an auction. He’s a very strange guy, won’t answer his phone, won’t let anyone in the house but rent always paid. We realised he hadn’t paid Decembers rent so letting agency tried to get hold of him. No joy. No response to calls letters or txts. They can’t just turn up on his doorstep apparently either. January’s rent not paid either now. They’ve sent him an urgent letter. He’s finally rang them today and said there’s been an issue with his benefit (he wasn’t on benefits when he moved in - he had a job) and he can’t pay decembers, or January’s, and can’t pay February’s either! In fact he doesn’t know when he can pay at all! Now the issue is that his tenancy is due for renewal next month and I just don’t know what to do. I’ve never been in this situation. He says he doesn’t want to move, but h can’t just not pay rent either! He has 4 children. Any suggestions on how to proceed??

[bednobs]

start with eviction process - it'll take ages anyway

[Baldric]

As Landlords, are you a Charity, think about it, good luck.

[Smowball]

Oh god really?

[Rockrose]

If he’s on benefits he should be getting housing benefits .
You can’t just let them stay without paying so start the eviction process.

[Smowball]

We actually put it up for sale 3 months ago with the reassurance to him that it wouldn’t affect him as he had a tenancy agreement. Every viewing that’s been arranged he’s cancelled an hour beforehand so nobody has ever managed to see the house!

[bednobs]

yes.

[bednobs]

he taking the pis then

[-SharonA-]

Evict him. It will only get worse if you don't.

[Smowball]

Something isn’t ringing true with his story.

[zebo]

Get rid of him. It should be much easier and quicker to get rid of non-paying tenants, first missed payment, out, as has been said you're not a charity.

[ummmm]

Eviction. You have no choice really.

[Canary42]

Sounds like he may be a victim of the appalling new Universal Credit system - starting eviction proceedings may improve his case for emergency relief.

[Smowball]

Looks like I’ve got no choice. Hate doing this to a family with kids though.

[Baldric]

Don't take his problems on board Smo, it won,t help,

[ummmm]

Smow..if he has kids the council will house him. It might not be ideal but he won't be on the streets.

[Rockrose]

Canary you have no evidence of that, and if it was that why didn’t he notify the agent as soon as it happened?
Also he currently owes 2 months and doesn’t know when he can pay again, that’s not right at all.

[Smowball]

Looks like I’ll have to put my own feelings to one side and call the agent. Maybe he’s doing this to deliberately get evicted??

[TonyV]

Seems to me he is using his children as pawns, he should or maybe is getting housing benefit, and not passing it on to you. You need to start eviction proceedings.

Advice here plus many companies will do it for you at a cost.

https://www.gov.uk/evicting-tenants

[Smowball]

Thanks everyon, as usual v good advice x

[bednobs]

imagine you were using his rent to pay your own mortgage - you too would be facing eviction all down to him