Evicted tenant’s aftermath!
Hi Everyone, After agreeing with my tenant to evict him using section 8 rent arrears (so he becomes ‘homeless’ and gets help from the council)
I have been left with most of his belongings to remove, damage to the house and clean up costs, which far exceed his deposit value.
I have issued a notice of abandonment for his belongings, but my question is, can I add these additional cleanup costs to his money order CCJ I received with the section 8, or should I claim through the small claims court for another CCJ against him?
Many thanks
Helen
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Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 12
12:39 PM, 8th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by DPT at 08/08/2025 – 12:18
Not in Wiltshire! He now has a beautiful 2 bed 40mins away and I’ve been left with his fleas!!!
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 120
1:13 PM, 8th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sara Rowland at 04/08/2025 – 15:12
The 1977 Act does not stipulate a three month period. Much better to rely on provisions in tenancy agreement, if there are any.
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 120
1:16 PM, 8th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 04/08/2025 – 15:52
Probably because of the presumption that when you sell a house you either (a) also sell the contents (check the terms of your contract) or (b) abandon those contents. When a tenancy ends the property in the chattels left behind stays with the ex-tenant. Which is why it’s often a hassle to deal with.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 40
4:35 PM, 8th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by DPT at 08/08/2025 – 12:18
I believe so.
Member Since September 2024 - Comments: 33
10:27 AM, 9th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Also, when you issue a CCJ for larger amounts, councils often advise these tenants to apply for Debt Relief Orders (DROs), which wipe out all outstanding debts. This allows them to start racking up new debts again. The entire system is on its knees under the current government.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 28
11:15 AM, 9th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 04/08/2025 – 11:37 I had to evict a tenant for none payment of rent, allowing property dilapidations and anti social behaviour. It took me a year to go through the courts – £2,000 in costs and no rent. She was a hoarder and left every single item in the flat. Out of spite she emptied a dirty cat litter tray into the washing machine and turned it on which flooded the kitchen and I had to get a plumber in to clear the pipework. I gave her a month to collect as it was going to cost me over a thousand pounds for clearance. She did not collect so I had countless trips to the local skip and charity shops to get rid of her stuff – mostly rubbish. She is now in council temporary accommodation so I don’t know where she is so I cannot take it further to regain my £13,000 plus she owes me. She left paperwork showing everything she owed – gas – £5,000 Electric – £5,000 Water – £4,500 (how can you owe that much in water??!!), loans, phones, etc. Then she will get a council house and no doubt make herself bankrupt and start all over again. Parasites, the lot of them. I’ve had enough and am selling up.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
12:27 PM, 10th August 2025, About 8 months ago
If you claim for rent arrears the associated CCJ will not be automatically registered.
Raise another one through MCOL for £300 as this will only cost you £35, you will never get your money but it will stuff the tenants for 6 years
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 28
1:11 PM, 10th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 10/08/2025 – 12:27You can only do that if you know their new address because you have to serve them with the documents.
Member Since August 2020 - Comments: 16
2:17 PM, 10th August 2025, About 8 months ago
I have not read all the comments. I see that your relationships weren’t too bad with the tenant in question.
If you are in contact with the tenant & you want peace of mind, just negotiate with him/ her & help them move the stuff to the place of their choice, even at your cost.
It will save you from lots of heartache & also save time.
GOOD LUCK
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
3:14 PM, 10th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Throwing in the towel LL at 10/08/2025 – 13:11
You serve the documents to the last known address, i.e. your property.