UK Landlord Forum / Life

hi there
i'm a newbie landlord and already having loads of problems with both agency and tenant - basically tenant not paid a penny since moved in even though getting HB then agency slow in getting direct payment set up so all in all tenant still owes 3 months payments - agency supposedly 'helped' with court paperwork re eviction but it now looks like wrong section was used ie 21 instead of 8 they hadnt even heard of section after i asked once i read about it - and of course now they just deny all knowledge and say i should go to their solicitor if i want any more help and it will cost £600!!.

Got a letter from Court today saying got hearing date re possession as tenant has put in a defence however i am sure that because wrong section used it's unlikely to be in our favour
i wondered if anyone knew if i could re-do process straight away this time using section 8 or if now i have one type of paperwork in the court system i have to wait until that is resolved before doing anything else - i really can't afford solicitor costs due to having had 2 mortgages to pay whilst tenant staying in our flat for free

and of course council don't care they just say they will help tenant fight eviction and don't seem to care we are having financial problems because of him!!

thanks

The only advice I can suggest is to join a landlord association and use their legal advice. I am a member of the Guild of Residential Landlords - all4landlords.com
Costs £70 per year but excellent benefits including free legal advice (within reason I think - ie they will advise you but wont turn up to court)!

Check them out.

Good luck

Jools