UK Landlord Forum / Life

My tenants of small flat have been owing rent for a year although have now started to pay full rent  but no payments of the money owing, Their English is poor. They do not respond to letters, or phone calls re access. EPC done by photographing meter in outside box.
Letters have been sent  by letting agent to request access and/or a meeting but they are never there or dont answer.
Recent request by letter to let Fire inspector inspect flat on specific day went unanswered so letting agent attended with keys to get in . However they found that tenants had put on a new lock or bolt on the inside of door so Fire company could not access flat, despite tenants obviously being inside the flat.
To add to this the last time access was obtained by agent, the flat smelt of smoke, so it appears the couple are smoking in the flat.
So rent owing, no communication, no phone calls or letters answered, not allowing access by letting agents or for Legal purposes e.g Fire safety, workmen, and also  fitting locks on the inside door to the flat to deny access. Not forgetting smoking in the flat also.
Has anyone any suggestions on how to handle this one. Should I just give notice and hope, or maybe a possible rent rise as no rent rise as periodic tenancy and no rise for 3 years.
Any suggestions would be helpful
Tralee

It's a no-brainer surely? Serve notice.What sort of checks and references did you obtain before taking them on? 

Defo serve them a notice, if not then ask them to pay the outstanding rent in instalments, so maybe £500 on top of their monthly rent until the balance is cleared?

Yes it looks like I am going to serve notice as unable to access. Re requesting the backlog in rent, we have done this without success, even when we suggested an extra £20 a month to clear backlog.
I just hope they will leave after notice has been served, without me taking it to court.
We will see.
Tralee