0:01 AM, 24th December 2025, About 2 months 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
Kate Gould
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 February 2025 - Comments: 65
10:51 AM, 27th December 2025, About 2 months ago
The most fundamental question is why can’t you get together the money to go ahead with the court and bailiff repossession proceedings after the s8 notice? If you act on self help advice, however careful, you could end up facing criminal proceedings.
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
11:43 AM, 27th December 2025, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Kate Gould at 27/12/2025 – 10:51
Courts have a backlog in that area till September. I want to get rid of her before then.I don’t want to waste money and find she can’t be found.
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: 402
12:41 PM, 27th December 2025, About 2 months ago
Try the CAB and Shelter but suspect they’ll advise getting a solicitor to protect yourself- your tenant probably knows their legal rights better than you seem to.
You could suggest to a solicitor you pay their fees spread over a number of months or put it on your credit card or seek a loan.
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: 182
14:14 PM, 27th December 2025, About 2 months ago
If you’ve already started with the Section 8 you have to follow the course of action. It’s a shame you weren’t advised to use the faster Section 21 route. You could do that now I believe. Contact Legal for Landlords. I’ve used them three times and they’ve been very efficient and I believe don’t over charge. It doesn’t matter if the tenant can’t be contacted. They can still be evicted. The notices are sent to their usual address. With a Section 21 I’m not sure if there can be recourse from them i.e. their saying that the mould is the reason for their not paying the rent – which is something they could bring up in court for a section 8 and delay the whole thing.
However, if you have tried to contact them and gain access for repairs then they won’t be able to push that. You need to keep records of everything.
A Section 21 is much simpler. You won’t get any money back from them either way.
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
15:41 PM, 27th December 2025, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Jill at 27/12/2025 – 11:43
Hi, why don’t you joint a landlords association to get more accurate advice on the matter and your options!?