0:01 AM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago 15
Text Size
Categories:
When tenants left in January 2024, I used a local estate agent to find a new tenant, but after ten viewings, there were no takers, despite this being a very desirable flat.
I went to inspect it and found it covered in black mould. While cleaning it up, a single lady asked to rent it, desperate as her landlady had died and she had to leave her accommodation, so not able to obtain a landlady’s reference.
Alarm bells rang and I asked for her to be double-checked. The agent assured me she was a perfect tenant. Two weeks after she moved in, I was bombarded by messages from other residents in the block to tell me she had moved in with a partner and his “nephews and nieces” were calling in the middle of the night. “Nobody could possibly have that many”, one resident told me.
He is a known local drug dealer. I visited and told them firmly, no drugs or I will evict you. Night visits stopped but not daytime visits. Then there was no rent. Three months later, she was issued with a Section 8 for rent arrears. ten months later, still no rent, and she appears not to be living there. The place is a health hazard. Black mould is everywhere, her belongings are still there, debris strewn on the floor and carpets ruined.
I have no knowledge of her whereabouts. She has a key and is still considered the tenant. She does not respond to emails and legally, I can do nothing. There is a delay of 8 months to take her to court and I do not have the money to pay and if I do, she would take no notice. She seems to think she is above the law. I have established she has adequate money to pay the rent so I cannot have it paid directly to me. She claims to be disabled, but I cannot see any sign of this.
Now what do I do?
Thanks,
Jill
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Estate agents predict Boxing Day bonanza as market springs back
Kizzie
Read Full Bio
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 392
10:27 AM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Awaabs law? It seems no regular inspection with regard to the mould and also not in response to complaints by other flat owners or neighbours.
Property in that condition would not attract good tenants.
It appears you were happy to take the rent without taking on board your tenants legal rights to clean and habitable accommodation
David Moreton
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 10
12:06 PM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Leave a note inside the flat stating that you have lost a set of keys for the flat and for safety and security reasons you will be changing the lock within the next 2 weeks and for her to get in touch in order to arrange a time and date to meet her at the flat in order to give her a new set of keys. You must take a witness, preferably male and photograph everything and advise her you are recording everything on your phone to use in the eviction (all good evidence) While you are in the flat check for any signs of drugs (wear gloves) If there is no response within the 2 week period, go ahead and change the lock.
Helen
Read Full Bio
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since March 2020 - Comments: 181
12:08 PM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Kizzie at 24/12/2025 – 10:27
I find it odd that you said it’s a ‘desirable property’ yet hadn’t inspected it after the previous tenants left. Also, the Agents hadn’t told you after the first viewing that there was a mould issue. None of this rings true somehow.
Jill
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since December 2018 - Comments: 8
12:59 PM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Kizzie at 24/12/2025 – 10:27
The Agents had assured me the flat was left clean when the previous tenants left. They had been there just one year. I only inspect once a year and as the agents had, I assumed, inspected it, I trusted they had indeed found it clean
I am well aware of AWABS law!
DPT
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1088
13:02 PM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Get some legal help immediately from a landlord and tenant lawyer. Almost anything you do without help will make things worse.
Kizzie
Read Full Bio
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 392
14:06 PM, 24th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
“I assumed…..”. Never assume the obligations in your contract with, I think you stated Estate Agent, is followed particularly as Estate Agents sell property.
You need an Agent which specialises in managing property and accredited by a recognised organisation eg ARMA, TPI, Property Management Institution as this is a largely unregulated sector
Kat Scott
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 27
3:58 AM, 26th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Helen at 24/12/2025 – 12:08
Me to. Why was no check out inventory taken at the end of the last tenancy that would have shown you the condition of the property. Its essential to do one. If your using an agent they should do this automatically for you.
Kizzie
Read Full Bio
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 392
9:42 AM, 26th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
I agree with a previous post. Rereading the original , “cleaned off the mould” then later inspection “black with mould” ,so the mould issue and what was causing it not treated.
Yet described as “desirable “!
The poster says she told the drug dealer not to sell drugs otherwise he would be evicted!
The tenant said to be disabled and has enough money. How is that known?
The tenant may have produced bank accounts at commencement of tenancy but no bank can allow access to this information.
Jason
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since February 2022 - Comments: 197
18:32 PM, 26th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
This whole article makes no sense to me. Too many unanswered questions. Suggestion is get an eviction specialist as likely abandonment. Once you get possession, tidy up and sell. RRB is going to make it so much harder, strongly suggest leaving market. If you don’t have backup funds/experiance to deal with this situation you are high risk.
Jill
You're Missing Out!
Members can reply to discussions, connect with experienced landlords, and access full member profiles showing years of expertise. Don't stay on the sidelines - join the UK's most active landlord community today.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since December 2018 - Comments: 8
7:01 AM, 27th December 2025, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Jason at 26/12/2025 – 18:32
tell me the unanswered questions and I will happily answer them.
My plan is to sell the flat.
Current problem is the junk in it.Legally not allowed to touch it . I can with her agreement store it, first itemising every article but I wouldn’t want to touch a lot of it even with tongs.
Also I son’t know where she is living now.