I’m a landlord – get my problem tenant out of here!

I’m a landlord – get my problem tenant out of here!

14:36 PM, 26th November 2010, About 14 years ago 4

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A 5,000-signature petition demanding changes in the law to speed up the eviction of problem tenants from buy to let rental properties has been handed in to Downing Street.

Mike Weatherley, Tory MP for Hove and Portslade is leading the protesters, consisting of 14 landlord businesses and representative groups, including the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

The petition calls for:

  • Streamlining the law to let landlords evict tenants who have not paid rent or behave antisocially
  • New laws to let landlords possess properties with problem tenants quicker than current laws
  • Better rules for letting landlords access homes rented to tenants
  • The government proposals to close more than 50 county courts will not slow down the eviction process.

RLA chairman Alan Ward said: “Landlords depend on the County Courts to dispense justice when tenants fail to pay the rent.

60% of RLA helpline calls relate to problem tenants

“If these courts are closed, we call on the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure that landlords and tenants are not disadvantaged by delays in the court system.”

The RLA adds that six out of every 10 helpline calls from landlords relate to problems with taking possession of property.

If the case goes to a county court, a court hearing date should be listed within six weeks of application – but many are too busy to comply and the RLA fears that closing Courts will only add more delays to the process.”If the current system that takes too long remains, Courts will be overwhelmed and landlords will lose out even more. Local housing authorities, who are trying to house more people with private landlords, will find that more difficult too,” said the RLA.

Mr Weatherley said: “I support this sensible plan to balance the rights of landlords and tenants.”


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Comments

5:15 AM, 30th November 2010, About 14 years ago

BTL businesses can loose 50% (or more) of their annual yield through problem tennants, and have lttle control over it, most of the time its down to luck that the tennant conduct themselves appropriatley.

9:33 AM, 30th November 2010, About 14 years ago

Thanks again for your comment Anon. There are, of course, things we can to to improve our luck. That said, there is no perfect solution. I've been let down by tenants with glowing references before now. Peoples lives change. There are two ways to deal with the risks, after doing everything possible to minimise them that is. One is to play the numbers game, the other is to pass the risk to an insurer.

Fed Up Landlord

16:02 PM, 30th November 2010, About 14 years ago

Rent Insurance Guarantee with my letting agent on a let only basis costs me £63.45 for the first year if the tenant stays that long. In 8 years of being a landlord with 10 properties I have had two go belly up on me. One was insured - no loss - and the insurance company were brilliant even appointing a barrister for the County Court appearance. The other was not and cost me £4500 in lost rent ,solicitors fees, and anger management!! However, tracked the tenant down to a cleaning job and have recovered £2,500 over last 18 months with attachment to earnings order.

The lesson is - For what it costs (£63.45 every 6 months per property if tenant stays) its a bargain!!

Gary

17:02 PM, 30th November 2010, About 14 years ago

Hi Gary

Thank you for your comments and I'm pleased to hear the Rent Guanantee insurance company supported you and made the payments. A common complaint about such policies is that claiming is very labour intensive and frustrating and lot's of claims dont get paid, especially if people self let and self manage. You obviously took the half way house route and it paid off you for when you did.

You might want to look at a quick comparison for the future. Work out how much you pay to the letting agent to let the property and then add the cost of the insurance policy and the value of your time collecting rents and claiming against the Rent Guarantee Insurance where necessary. Then compare this to using Rent on Time at a cost of 6% of rent plus a £75 letting fee + VAT. Also bear in mind that if you use Rent on Time you will get your rent on the due date every month, whether the tenant pays or not. It's then up to Rent on Time to decide what to do in terms of collection, evicting the tenant, recovering arrears etc. You don't need to get involved at all.

Rent on Time is another 'half way house' between full management and self management. You may also find these links to Find A Tenant and Rent on Time to be of use.

Regards

Mark

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