UK Landlord Forum / Life

So we've had a tenant in place for over 2 years, no real issues, paid on time except 1 or 2 times and was usually sorted after a couple of days.

Now tenant has paid £500 of a £695 rent, and their initial explanation was there is a delay in universal credit payments so should have been sorted mid-month. Tenant does in fact work also but is topped up with UC i guess?

Since this communication at the beginning of the month - nothing.

Called, texted, messaged through facebook etc but no response.

Next rent payment is due in a few days on the 1st. The lack of communication is really forcing me down a route i don't want to go - i can only think that a S21 is my answer (everything is in line with S21 requirements and i would be able to issue).

Has anyone had this situation before? If they discussed any issues with me then it really would be possible to sort out, but no communication makes this impossible!

Thoughts?

You won't be able to evict for a while anyway.If they have just applied for UC for the first time due to lockdown,I have heard that there are big backlogs.Likewise, if they are always in receipt of this benefit,problems are very slow to sort out.I would send a letter or email, saying that they do need to keep you in the picture,as you need to decide what course of action to take to recover rent arrears.Under the circumstances,with an otherwise decent tenant, I would cut a bit of slack,they make actually have caught the virus or be caring for someone else.I do hate it though when people won't respond,it really winds me up,and it's childish behaviour.Good Luck,hope you get this sorted soon.   

Well the 1st has been and gone - no rent paid and no communication.

I've given until the end of tomorrow to pay this months rent and arrears in full, but i highly suspect i will be issuing my first eviction notices tomorrow.

Not what i wanted to happen, but there really isn't any other choice with the zero communication.

second update - knocked round for a chat with the tenant - it was as we thought - furlough and issues with UC etc. we're getting the £200 remainder from ast month and the promise for this months on the 1st next month.

If only they would have communicated it would have been much easier and much less stressful for everyone!

I would still be expecting to evict.Has she given formal notice and handed back the keys? Nothing about her past record suggests that she will keep her promises,sorry to say.