Tenant said it would cost thousands to get her out?

Tenant said it would cost thousands to get her out?

9:40 AM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago 29

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I had an EICR assessment in October, which stated the property required rewiring. Since then there have multiple failed attempts to get this work started and completed. The tenant had Covid-19 multiple times, then her boyfriend has had it, then a boyfriend’s relative bereavement, relative has changed (the boyfriend is not a tenant), then the work was started, and she refused to let them back in after the second day.

On the 27.12.20 she sent a cheery text saying you can now start the work and was rude, aggressive and intimidating when I said I couldn’t because the electrician was booked up.

The work finally continued on Tuesday and today she has denied access again. We have followed procedure with warnings which means she is on the final stage but has made it clear that it will cost us thousands to get her out. Any advice on how I proceed. The electrician has been really good but at the end of the day he has a business to run.

I have already had to pay extra costs when work was booked and not carried out. This is a common theme with the tenant, she reports issues/repairs which we respond to immediately and then refuses access.

Anita


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Comments

Judith Wordsworth

10:31 AM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

As long as you have a WRITTEN paper trail of her refusing to allow your contractor in to start/complete works, for what ever reason, then you should be ok re any action for not having the EICR certificate signed off.

Not sure what you mean by given her warnings and on her final stage. But unless you have haven't served her a s21 correctly cannot see why any money is bring demanded by her to vacate. Is she still paying her rent?

TheMaluka

10:53 AM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

When you meet her keep a video of the encounter, a smart phone in a shirt pocket will usually suffice, and tell her you are recording. It is amazing how the prospect of a photographic record focusses the tenant's mind.

Luke P

11:27 AM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Two options…

Get the LA involved…not only does it keep a record that you’ve attempted to complete the EICR and they’re are now aware not to go after you.

Injunction for access…not as difficult as is thought. Satisfaction would be off the scale as she is forced to allow access. Chris Daniel may be along to explain or contact him at PossessionFriend

Jan Martin

12:01 PM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

My electrician told me a while back that he could seek permission from the court if electrical works needed and after several documented attempts were made to no avail .

Dylan Morris

13:50 PM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

You say the property needs rewiring, which implies the whole of the property. This is a huge job which will undoubtedly cause major inconvenience to your tenant. This is probably the reason why she is refusing access.
Have you considered rehousing the tenant whilst the work is ongoing ? Perhaps local hotel for a week. You’re already in for £3,000 to £4,000 costs for a full rewire, depending on size of property. Alternative is to offer come compensation say a month’s free rent.

GREENDIZZYCRAB

14:03 PM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 07/05/2021 - 10:31
I meant to say notice not warning.

TrevL

18:02 PM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 07/05/2021 - 13:50
Yep with Dylan on this one, obviously don't know how long you've had the property and how long the tennant has been in, but if its a complete rewire with significant disruption without any compensatory gentures on your behalf then I'm not suprised she has reacted badly.

Luke P

18:41 PM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by TrevL at 07/05/2021 - 18:02
You literally would not survive with volume. We owe the tenants nothing. Not a thing. Serve them notice if it’s a full rewire and I’m the interim this is your get out of jail card with the authorities

TrevL

22:48 PM, 7th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 07/05/2021 - 18:41
Maybe you don't owe them anything, but during an eviction ban it seems a bit self defeating to play hard ball when in a weak position.

Also, unless she is a long term tenant there was nothing stopping you doing the check a re-wire at the last tenancy change.

You've decided to saddle the tenant with the disruption and then wonder why she reacts badly.

Badger

12:52 PM, 8th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by TrevL at 07/05/2021 - 22:48
Not exactly.

Presumably the OP was in receipt of an unsatisfactory EICR so it's not really a matter of choice. A full rewire implies that this is not something that can be temporarily overlooked.

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