Malicious Damage Caused by Tenants

Malicious Damage Caused by Tenants

12:25 PM, 10th February 2013, About 11 years ago

Text Size

A lady who prefers to remain anonymous has written in to explain that she has experienced malicious damage caused by tenants to a property she spent £6,500 on renovating just three years ago.

Apparently the tenant had absconded and stopped paying rent and after serving the relative notices and gaining possession the Police finally broke in to find that the tenant had:-

  • stripped out all copper piping
  • pulled all the kitchen units out
  • removed the tiles from the floor in the kitchen & lounge
  • caused flooding to bring down ceilings
  • The quote for refurbishing is £12,000 plus VAT

Advice is requested on where to go from here.

If you can think of anything to add to my suggestions please leave your comment in the section below this article:-

  • Make an crime report to the Police if you haven’t already done so
  • Add the tenants details to http://www.landlordreferencing.co.uk/ so that other landlords can contact you if this tenant tries to rent a property off them. This will not get you any money back but could help another landlord and give you a bit of revenge as you will no doubt be able to talk the next landlord out of renting to this tenant
  • Check your landlords insurance policy and see whether you are covered for malicious damage. If you are not then you will know to ask for that type of cover to be added in future. See >>> http://www.property118.com/index.php/landlords-insurance-landlords-buying-group/
  • Contact a Private Investigator and ask them to track down this tenant. It should cost less than £100. The Police are unlikely to track this person so when you get details pass them to the Police and insist they press charges for criminal damages.
  • If you are not insured you have a commercial decision as to whether it is worth pursuing damages through the Courts

I hope this helps.


Share This Article


Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now