UK Landlord Forum / Life

Can anyone help with advice please?  The tenancy on my rental property is due to end in the next couple of weeks.  The tenants are refusing to answer any messages relating to unpaid rent and arrangements for their last day at the property with regard to checking of property, handing back of keys etc.  Over the last few weeks property has been removed, they are already living in another property and most likely (hopefully) all their possessions will be gone before the last day of the tenancy.  In these difficult times with social distancing etc how do I do the check out on the assumption they won't be present?  Are photographs enough evidence of any damage etc or do I need an independent witness?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you

The tenants probably aren't replying due to the unpaid rent 

Personally, I would wait until a few days before the end of tenancy and contact them again for confirmation, keys etc. I would go to property the day after the last day of tenancy and do your checks. If they're still there after the end of tenancy, unfortunately that's another issue.

I have student properties and it's quite rare for me to coordinate a check out with all the tenants. I photograph any damage/list missing items etc and then forward that Information to the DPS with the required reductions.

Does that help a bit?

Hi Pinkwindsor, Many thanks for your reply, I really appreciate your advice.  I used a letting agent on a "find tenant only" basis and they arranged for the deposit to be held in the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.  The agent is mostly uncontactable at the moment due to the current very difficult situation.  I managed to speak to someone in their organisation and was advised that only the tenant can start the process of the return of any deposit (if the rent remains unpaid then no monies from the deposit will be due to them).  In your experience is this correct or can I as the landlord start the process?

I have always started the process of returning the deposit as I have a quick turnaround of students, but then I do everything myself.

The DPS website has helpful information for Landlords. Do you know which scheme the agent used? What happens if you need to dispute damage or anything? 

It's the Tenancy Deposit Scheme it has a Hemel Hempstead address.  As the agent sent it up I don't have access to it and as their staff have mostly been furloughed now is very difficult to get hold of anyone.  The deposit is only £100 more than the rent owed, so there's not going to be much left to cover damages etc.  The tenant is still not answering messages, all quite stressful!!

Quote from: Jess21 on April 11, 2020, 07:32:14 PM
It's the Tenancy Deposit Scheme it has a Hemel Hempstead address.  As the agent sent it up I don't have access to it and as their staff have mostly been furloughed now is very difficult to get hold of anyone.  The deposit is only £100 more than the rent owed, so there's not going to be much left to cover damages etc.  The tenant is still not answering messages, all quite stressful!!

That is a difficult situation and a reason why I do it all myself. But that doesn't help you..

I'm not sure what you can do about the deposit but surely a good agent wouldn't just give it all back to the tenant without checking with you first?