UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi I have been renting for a few years, luckily without too much trouble, before this guy.
The house is an HMO with 6 residents. I had complaints of thefts from fridges etc and this guy having his boyfriend to stay etc, he had been there a year and I put the rent up by £10 per month, which he argued about in front of others, so I decided I had had enough and issued a section 21, before the contract was renewed.
He argued the eviction notice then left just before it had run its course. He did not pay the final months rent, said this is what the deposit is for. Much damage was caused during these final months of him being there including entering the loft space and pulling the pipes, flooding the house. I cannot prove him responsible as it is an HMO, and the police were not interested in investigating.
I requested the deposit from dps which he refused to release, HE has now taken the matter to court as I won't release the deposit to him?
He is now stating that he left at the end of July not August when his notice ran out so he is not liable for the last month??  I should get a date for court soon but don't know what evidence I can take as it will be my word against his as to when he left. He did send texts on the day he left but I'm not sure if these will be evidence enough. The other tenants in the house do not want to give statement as he is likely to return to harass them.
The money is not worth it but I cannot let him get away with this.
Thanks for any assistance.

Hi Steven

That all sounds dreadful.

I think the fact that you gave notice for the end of August should help.

All you can do is calmly prepare your statement of facts, without emotion, detailing the communications you had with him. Don't leave anything out, try and be reasonable as you can, stick to your guns.

Best of luck, please let us know how you get on.