UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi, there,

I have a tenant, who has not paid her rent (£1000pm) since 1st November 2013, also has shortfalls of £64 of her rent since September 2013. She has applied and was in receiving housing benefit (01-06-2013-16-01-2014).

I have reported it to the council about it, after waiting for more than 2 months, council paid me 6 weeks of tenant's housing benefit, which is £1273, however, the tenant called to the council to notify them her circumstance has changed (which was not true), so the council has suspended her future housing benefit payments to me.

The tenant is still living in the flat, she has changed the lock without my permission (to stop me get access to the flat) and she is not paying the rent.

I have served a section 8 notice 2 weeks, base on her rent arrears for more than 2 months, but I have not heard from her, as she does not taking my calls and neither reply my texts.

I have put her deposit (£1000) to DPS, but it was after 30days.

It seems it is a very tricky situation, and she is a very difficult lady.

What should I do now? Anyone has any similar experience and can give me some suggestions?

Many thanks,

Hello,
I'm in a similar situation. The tenants are 2 months in arrears, have changed the looks on the front door and stopped responding to calls and emails about a month ago.

We lived in the flat before we rented it and have good friends and neighbours in the block. They have kept an eye out and rarely see any signs of life in the flat. We think the tenants may have moved out.

We've served a section 8 and are now considering filing a possession claim.

Do we have to wait until this is granted before we can get access to the property?

Thanks.