UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi,
We currently have been renting out our flat for 3 years to friends of a friend (we didn't ask for a deposit because of this in hindsight we know now not to do this again....)

We are actually hoping to sell it now.

The tenants have said they will be leaving in 2 months. We inspected the flat and basically in terms of decoration it needs a complete re-do!

The tenants have basically not even pushed us a hoover around it seems for the 3 years they have lived there and to be honest I'm really upset about it. They have destroyed the carpets and scuffed the paint on the walls and the bathroom is full of mould  It amounts to more than 3 years normal 'wear and tear'

We are happy to go around to redecorate ourselves and would like to do this BEFORE they move out because no-one will be willing to rent let alone buy in this condition.

The tenant has refused access for decorating purposes.

I can understand this is not ideal for the tenant and can see their point BUT I am going to be out of pocket and lose a months rent if I wait for them to go to redecorate.

Do I have the right as a landlord to enter to decorate if I give sufficient notice?

Can I 'sue' them for loss of earnings if they continue to refuse access?

It is written into our tenancy agreement they have to let us in to allow prospective buyers to view within the last two months of the tenancy agreement. Can we evict them if they refuse to let us in for breach of contract?

(And I know to get a deposit I future under ALL circumstances)

Thanks