UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi
Sorry if this becomes a long post, I have a tendency to babble!
We had a great tenant for about a year, when she gave her notice she asked if her sister could take over the tenancy. On speaking with the sister she asked if she could have a new six month contract and have a friend added on as joint tenant. We were a little worried at first as they are only eighteen, but as we had already had dealings with the sisters family, and her dad lives in the same street, we decided to give them a chance. After only a week we received a text from the first girl asking if her friend could be removed from the contract as they had fallen out, we said she could if she agreed to this, which the second girl didn't so we said they needed to try to sort things out. We had more texts saying the second girl was threatening her and she was scared to go home, there is no proof of this, only one girls word against the other. She also said her friend hadn't paid anything towards the rent (the first girl paid it directly into our account), but again it is one word against the other. She also said this second girl has kicked doors and thrown things at the walls, but again no proof. We decided to go speak to the girls face to face and try to sort the situation out. We said they could end the tenancy agreement early and leave at the end of this month, however the second girl refused this. The first girl said she would be taken off the agreement, but didn't really want to leave, she felt she was being forced to by the other girl. The second girl says she wants to stay in the house and denies any wrong doing, however she has recently lost her job and we are worried she won't be able to pay the rent. We were hoping they would both agree to leaving but doesn't look like that will happen. Any advice on how to handle this?

UPDATE- tenants have agreed to leave early, thanks to anyone who pondered this issue! Now going to try to sell the house, sick of this landlord business!

You've had a lucky escape. Put it down to experience and move forward.