Tenant Owes 6 Weeks Rent on room in HMO and has moved someone else in

Tenant Owes 6 Weeks Rent on room in HMO and has moved someone else in

12:32 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago 17

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I have a tenant who hasn’t paid rent for over 6 weeks. Tenant Owes 6 Weeks Rent on room in HMO and has moved someone else in

She is a single mother with a child under 4 years old, she rents one room (upstairs) in the house and shares facilities such as the kitchen, bathroom, and downstairs WC. She told me she can’t afford to pay rent as she only works one day, although I suspect she works 5 days a week. I think she is desperate for a council house and wants me to make her homeless, she mentioned wanting a council house, so now I am lumbered with this woman.

I have a signed AST agreement with her, which still has 5 months to go on it.

I have provided her with a rent book, she is suppose to pay rent weekly.

I have a schedule of arrears.

She paid no deposit.

I sent her a polite letter asking her to pay her arrears, I have proof of postage, although not recorded delivery, as I thought she might not accept the letter. I also handed her a letter by hand.

I do not live in the property.

I also suspect she has another lady living with her, who I have spotted a number of times coming in to the property every evening, over the last 4 weeks. So she, her son and another lady live in one room, which doesn’t seem right to me. I didn’t agree to 3 people sharing one room.

What can I do?

What are the most likely outcomes of such a situation?

I am stressed out.

RJ Peterson

HMO


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Comments

Neil Patterson

12:37 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago

I am very sorry to hear of your stress in this situation.

Have you asked directly who the other lady is and what her residential status is as I can understand this causing concern.

Do you think your tenant is just waiting to be 8 months in arrears so you can issue a section 8 and then she can apply for a Council house?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

12:59 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago

This is a case for Landlord Action - don't delay, contact them ASAP.

See >>> http://www.property118.com/tenant-eviction/39099/
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RJ Peterson

16:34 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Neil Patterson" at "20/10/2014 - 12:37":

Yes this is what i believe she is doing, she wants a council house. I spoke to her today, she said she wants a council house. I also asked her when will she be paying the rent, she closed the door and said she was busy on the phone.

In regards to the other woman, she claims the woman is a friend. I asked the woman what she was doing here every night, she ignored me and went into the room and closed the door

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

17:20 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "RJ Peterson" at "20/10/2014 - 16:34":

I hate to tell you this but the longer you wait to call in the professionals the more this is going to end up costing you.
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Sally T

20:24 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago

If she has a 4 year old and has been to the council she must know she's entitled to housing benefit (even if she's working 5 days a week), once she's 8 weeks in arrears you can applied for it to be paid direct. Take a copy of the tenancy to the council building local to the property and have a chat, even if they only pay part of her rent to you it's better than nothing. If she's not lying and is working only one day a week, you could end up with full rent been paid direct to you. Good luck 🙂

Kulasmiley

22:05 PM, 20th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi RJ,

I may be wrong here BUT she might be already claiming housing benefit and having the rent paid direct to her, also her "friend" could be doing the same? THIS IS YOUR PROPERTY, SO DO THE RESEARCH. If you phone Council, ask for council tax dept, they will tell you if she is on their list, then phone housing benefits dept, they will tell you if a claim is "live" on the property under her (or her friend's name). tell the housing benefit team that you need their help and that you will house a vulnerable tenant in that room if they help you. I HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT SORTED IT WITH SWIFT DECISIVE LAWFUL ACTION.

Good luck RJ,

Kevin

RJ Peterson

1:26 AM, 21st October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "20/10/2014 - 17:20":

yes i will be serving both section 8 and 21 this week, best not to delay

RJ Peterson

1:27 AM, 21st October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Sally T" at "20/10/2014 - 20:24":

thanks for the info, so if she is 8 weeks in arrears and is claiming HB, the council will have to give it to me directly?

RJ Peterson

1:30 AM, 21st October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "AA Properties Wales " at "20/10/2014 - 22:05":

Hi thanks for this info, I will be checking with the council/housing benefit department, and will find out if she is claiming HB under her name or her friends name. May i ask what do you mean by housing a vulnerable tenant? how would the council help me ? How did they help you?

Sally T

9:00 AM, 21st October 2014, About 10 years ago

We've always had rent paid direct after a tenant has fell more than 8 weeks into arrears. The council are usually very helpful.

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