Can you serve a Section 21 notice via WhatsApp?

Can you serve a Section 21 notice via WhatsApp?

0:01 AM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago 11

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Hi, my tenant’s main home is abroad in Lithuania. They own other properties in their own country and have others in Spain. They use my property when in the UK as a base.

They are currently abroad in Greece until November. I did a AST which is now a rolling contract. However, I need to get my property back.

Can I serve a Section 21 via WhatsApp and send the original via post to the house they rent from me? Or will WhatsApp suffice?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Godfrey


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JaSam

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Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 135

9:48 AM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

If your section 21 is valid I would post a printed copy to the actual rental address and send it electronically (email/Whats App). Politely asked them to acknowledge they have received it (even they have read receipts switched ON). If it ever goes to court you would need to prove that notice was served if that is challenged.

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Judith Wordsworth

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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1389

9:55 AM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

I would post to the rental property and send by email and request email acknowledged by email return.
Courts, judges, may see WhatsApp similar to a bog standard text message. Not all judges will even know of WhatsApp lol.

How do you get around the property not being occupied for +30 days for insurance out of interest?

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DPT

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Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1107

11:32 AM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

You can only send it electronically if you have prior signed consent from the tenant to send notices this way. I would suggest you send it both by post and WhatsApp and allow a few extra days on the 2 months for postage.

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Boris

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Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 33

12:35 PM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by DPT at 25/09/2024 – 11:32
Read your AST. What does it say about how notices can be served?

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havens havens

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Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 94

14:16 PM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

You’ll want to send the original Section 21 notice through the post to your tenant’s rental address. Unfortunately, WhatsApp isn’t enough for a formal notice. Just make sure to keep a copy of the mailing for your records.

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Jonathan Willis

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Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 157

15:08 PM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

Date it correctly, and post it. Keep proof of posting it will be assumed to arrive within 2 working days.
Check the s21 validity checker on the shelter website to make sure it’s valid, if not, you’ll need to fix it, and resend it again with new dates.

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Jim K

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Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 178

22:52 PM, 25th September 2024, About A year ago

Slightly different angle.
I maybe mistakenly thought an AST is for Ts main home.
If as described, they liive elsewhere is it valid?
The AST that is.

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SW11

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Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 2

8:13 AM, 26th September 2024, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Jim K at 25/09/2024 – 22:52
Jim K is correct if the property is not the T’s main home it is not an AST

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DPT

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Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1107

9:23 AM, 26th September 2024, About A year ago

I have no idea whether a main home in another country would count for the purposes of determining wheter a tenancy is assured, but I wouldnt risk relying on it myself.

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DPT

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Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1107

9:25 AM, 26th September 2024, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Karl at 25/09/2024 – 12:35
Yes, it could be in the tenancy agreement or if not in a separate document.

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