UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello, I have a foreign student renting a room in a house with others. He stopped paying his weekly rent two weeks ago and is now ignoring all contact with me. He also hasn't yet paid me a deposit (stupid me I know but I believed him when she was desperate and homeless so I allowed him a month's grace and that has now passed.)

The contract states:

5.3              The Landlord may bring a court action to recover possession of the Premises, even if any previous right to do so has been waived, if and whenever during the Term:
(a) the Rent is outstanding for 14 days after becoming due whether formally demanded or not

But everything I read on the internet says I can't take legal action for two months. Is that right? By then it will be far too late as he will have finished his course in May / June and left.

I've certainly learned my lesson not to be so gullible but is there anything I can do to get him out?  Thanks for your time.

giving him a notice to quit (a section 21) does not require any reason for doing so and may just worry him enough to make him pay some rent? its eight weeks from the day before his next rental period so asuming thats a friday? then its eight week from next friday. which is about the end of april? make sure its the right notice letter depending on whether hes within the 6month tenancy or after it.
or go and see him (about 8 in morning) and try to get some agreement to pay from him and give him the notice there and then. its better face to face as they realise its serious. i must warn you that seeing tenants at that time of the morning is not a pretty sight though!!   is he getting housing benefit? possible to get that direct after eight weeks arrears? but you need some proof like a rent book or statement. letting other students know he isnt paying his way is also slightly unethical but also pretty effective as they dont like it!