Deposit Dilemma with tenant asking to stay longer?

Deposit Dilemma with tenant asking to stay longer?

14:20 PM, 3rd February 2015, About 9 years ago 46

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I have a tenant who has handed in her notice and is due to leave this Friday. She has now informed the managing agent that she can’t move out as the house she is moving into is not available until 16 Feb. Rent has always been paid on time.

She is willing to pay rent for the extra days she is there, but I have a bad feeling about this as if her house falls through then it could be longer than a week. There is no new tenant moving in as I am selling the property.

My questions are:

  • As she handed in her notice what does this extra rent constitute?
  • Is it in relation to the same tenancy or not?
  • If not will it cause me a problem to accept it?
    What is my position with the deposit?
  • It is under a deposit scheme, but does this extension in leaving date (which I have not said yes to yet) cause me to request a further deposit?

A section 21 was issued at the time the tenancy was signed and I’m wondering if I should start lining up any proceeding in case this all goes to pot.

Thanks

Sharmeladelayed


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Comments

Ray Davison

17:35 PM, 4th February 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "sharmela Jansari" at "04/02/2015 - 17:29":

They are your agent so if the tenant has paid them, then they have paid you. You need to get your agent to follow this thread.

Ray Davison

17:39 PM, 4th February 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Steve Masters" at "04/02/2015 - 17:28":

Yes Steve, much as I suggested earlier but I don't know if that would be legally compliant or what effect that would have, if any, on deposit legislation as relates to a situation after a tenancy has ended.

Romain Garcin

18:03 PM, 4th February 2015, About 9 years ago

Indeed, a valid notice to quit from the tenant does end the tenancy on expiry whether the tenant leaves or not.

Anyone can pay money into someone else's bank account, but that does not mean that the recipient accepts that money as payment of anything.

Ideally, the (ex-)landlord must promptly notify the (ex-)tenant that he does not accept the payment and refund it.

The agent acts on behalf of the landlord and money to him is deemed paid to the landlord. Thus, just asking the agent not to forward the money is not good enough: The agent must act as the landlord would and clearly refuse to accept the money as payment of rent.

Steve Masters

18:03 PM, 4th February 2015, About 9 years ago

If think both parties would need to agree to a tenancy by some means. It is unfair to consider that the landlord has agree by virtue of the tenants actions if the landlord has not control over those actions. The landlord is not voluntarily providing occupancy to satisfy his side of the contract if he has no power to prevent occupancy.

If a thief steals your car and leaves you a fiver, he hasn't bought your car because you didn't agree to it, even though he has your car and you have his £5.

Audrey Wright

10:44 AM, 5th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Steve Masters" at "04/02/2015 - 18:03":

Accepting the money in your bank account is a form of agreeing. If you would not agree, you would refund that amount immediately (or as soon as you can). That transaction is documented and is clear sign of denial.

As for original poster's question.

Once she's given you a notice to quit and it expires, the tenancy has ended. You can either start a new tenancy with her, or you can trigger the eviction procedures you've placed (the s21 notice issued).

Regarding the deposit, once the tenancy has ended, you need to evaluate the property and the need for repairs, removals of luggage and belongings, end of tenancy cleaning, etc. etc. Then you need to return to the tenant the sum she's entitled to after your deductions, if there are any.

If she immediately steps in a new tenancy, you can retain the portion equivalent to the new contract and simply return the rest. I advise you to still check up on the flat before doing so. If you think the reductions will be larger than the new deposit, you can first carry out those and have your tenant pay you a new deposit.

Regarding your situation, I would say you might want to look up holiday lettings. If you are able to, it seems reasonable to agree on a holiday letting booking for the remainder of her stay. It would both guarantee you she will go when she needs to and allow you to collect legitimate rent money.

Hope this helps!
Best Regards,
Audrey Wright @ Move out Mates
http://www.moveoutmates.co.uk/

sharmela Jansari

14:32 PM, 10th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Just an update on this one. Tenant moved out after two weeks. Deposit returned (in part as she had done some damage and I was awarded some of it) but now I have a council tax issue. The council won't accept a letter from the managing agent that tenant was still in accupation and on top of that I have a court charge as the managing agent did not send me the letter they were receiving from the council. The council had been sending them to an old address in the first instance then decided to contact the agents.

Not sure what I can do about either the court charge or the unpaid council tax for the two additional weeks. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

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