UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi

I need to serve notice to my HOusing benefit tenants, I have been informally advised to do this too by the council's community and safety partnership. Unfortunately I did not put a deposit in the scheme because they didn't give me the first months rent as promised so I used the deposit  to cover my expenses etc not realising the implications! last year they were in rent arrears of nearly £1800 , I tried to serve notice but due to the above I couldn't. The council then paid their rent direct to me and this is up for review in January.
Over the last 6 weeks I have heard from a new neighbour that there have been lots of disturbances to the area caused by late night parties in my tenants house over the last six months, excess rubbish ( huge amounts) left in the garden ( now the environmental health are involved apparently), two broken windows that they have boarded up but not told me about, two dogs in house when tenancy says no pets and I was only aware of one dog which I said ok. The dominant male in the house is no longer there, possibly in prison, people tell me they are drug dealers , the two teenage kids are left to their own devices while the mother is always at ' friends' houses or 'out', according to kids. I was trying to get her to sign a letter to agree that I would knock 675 deposit off the total that they owe me but she was never around to sign it.

I have been away for 4 weeks and god knows what has happened since. I do think the social services have been informed.

What should I do?  I need to serve notice this week.

Thanks.

Hi

if they are two months in arrears now, section 8.

If you want to use section 21 then you must first repay all the deposit. Simple as that, no matter how wrong that is.

Ok
Thank you, they have never repaid any arrears although the council now pay so I guess they still are in arrears.

Quote from: Nicholson on October 27, 2014, 11:02:49 AM
Ok
Thank you, they have never repaid any arrears although the council now pay so I guess they still are in arrears.

How can you 'guess' they are in arrears?  They either are or are not - your records should point this out with ease.   Sounds like you haven't got a clue what's going on and have had no control over your property since day one when you let people move in without paying rent.  Best of luck, sounds like a very half hearted attempt at landlording from your point of view.

You've changed!

What is it grumpy pants?? Do you need a hug?

Although your point is fair in the light of OP's comment.

Thank you RIPTIDE for your helpful comments, they are in arrears, it was a figure of speech .

I am not a professional landlord as you will have realised but I shall not waste your time anymore and use someone else services when i need, however thank you to your colleague Boboff.   I have had no problems with other tenants over the last ten years, I just got some bad ones last  time when I had other issues to deal with at the time.

There's no need to leave but not protecting the deposit, not getting the first months rent in and not knowing what the tenants are up to (might be in prison etc) does not make for a fun time being a landlord.

Quote from: Nicholson on October 27, 2014, 03:09:24 PMI am not a professional landlord...

But every Landlord should at least be professional... we're not Letting Agents! Ten years is longer than I have under my belt. 

An if they did degrees in Letting Hippo would be post grad Dr Professor Sir Hippo!

I agree with Boboff, if you want to use Sect 21 repay the deposit in full or fail, simple as that. It seems you may need professional help.