UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi everyone. This is my first post on here.

Does anyone know of a no win no fee solicitor that would represent a landlord.

Basically my tenant has left the property and deliberately vandalised it causing several thousands of pounds worth of damage.

I am needing a no win no fee solicitor.

Many thanks

Am I right in thinking you have looked into going to the small claims court yourself? The costs are very modest compared to hiring a solicitor of any kind.Did you try to get the police involved,if this was criminal damage?

Thanks for the reply.

The damage is estimated to be approximately £50k. So it's too big for the small claims court.

I did get the police involved but they were interested and said it's a civil matter.
They said they actually needed video footage of the tenant physically damaging the property.

Jesus,that is terrible.The police are pretty useless a lot of the time,but I think I would be making a complaint about that issue.What if he had punched you or started a fire,would that be a civil matter? Regarding solicitors,I have heard it said that the fees,if successful,often swallow up a lot of the money awarded.I know it will cost you,but I would be paying for a one-off consultation with an old-school lawyer.The financial and social status of the ex tenant is crucial. Does he have money,decent income or assets? Is he a man of straw,does he live on benefits or have a history of mental illness?If so,your chances of getting anything out of him are slender.So sorry for the situation you are in,what a nightmare.   

Exactly what a nightmare.

He has no assets barely.

Realistically, if he's got no assets worth a damn then there's no point in suing him. You'll probably win, but you still won't see a penny. If you just want the satisfaction of a CCJ against him, then take the Small Claims Track. At least you're only throwing away a couple of hundred quid then.

I take it you don't have insurance to cover the damage - or legal expenses cover?

I had always thought I'd follow through to CCJ if something like this happened to me. I would want the satisfaction of knowing it had made life harder for them (how much so, really, is not known) and, as it has a lifetime, the fact that there's no assets now doesn't mean there are no assets in the future, right?

Yes,John could pick a nominal sum that fits into the small claims range,and go for that.Trouble is,after such an event it can be hard to find the energy to fight back,and you begrudge spending another penny. Someone I know was refused a mortgage.He had failed to pay water rates when he was a student years ago,and was unaware of the CCJ.

I have helped a number of landlords, who have had the same issue but damage was not that high.
I doubt the tenant will have that amount of funds available, so I would recommend that you take him to the small claims court for the maximum amount currently £1000 for damages which would give you the CCJ you require, add an attachment to earnings/ benefits.