Help tenant hasn’t paid rent since February?
Hi all, The tenant moved in during 2023 and paid rent without issue for 20 months. However, as the property is a one-bedroom and their family grew, it became overcrowded, so I issued a Section 21 notice.
The tenant has not paid rent since February. I submitted a direct payment request to DWP in May, which was approved, but only one payment was received before the arrangement was recently stopped. The arrears now exceed £5,000.
I’m unsure whether the tenant has moved out—there’s been no communication or formal surrender of the tenancy.
I’m currently awaiting the judge’s decision on the possession claim. No defence was filed, and when I enquired about the timeline for bailiffs, I was advised it could be August or September.
What are my options now?
The tenant has also changed one of the two locks without permission.
Many thanks
Zee
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Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 28
8:24 PM, 24th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Your contract will specifically state how much notice you have to give to do an inspection
Read it. Give the notice. Visit. Find out what’s going on and take it from there
Imho the BEST way to get rid of a sticky tenant is £1000 in their hand in return for a signed deed of surrender
Job done. No court. No baliffs. No months of delays…
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 15
8:26 PM, 24th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Craig Vaughan at 24/06/2025 – 20:24
I did tenant was not responsive and had changed the locks.
He surrendered yesterday and locks have been changed today
Thanks.
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 15
8:29 PM, 24th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Thanks all,
The tenant finally surrendered the tenancy yesterday. He had already moved out and was just being difficult because he received a Section 21 notice.
Thank you again.
I’ll be pursuing the debt through the small claims process and will be more selective with tenant choices going forward.
Locks changed can now move on.
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
12:13 AM, 25th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Zee Smith at 24/06/2025 – 19:03
We use a Tracing Agent, if yours don’t find the tenant
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 15
6:17 AM, 25th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 25/06/2025 – 00:13
Don’t think the tenant has found a place but will see. Basically left the bed, wardrobe, sofa, fridge freezer etc at the property and when i asked if he wanted his belongings said “Good evening, thanks for the message, but I don’t need anything from there anymore, you can put them in the bin and sorry they’re left there.”
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 13
12:41 PM, 25th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Zee Smith at 24/06/2025 – 19:03
Please share details of the tracing company you used. I may need to hire one too. Thanks.
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
1:09 PM, 25th June 2025, About 10 months ago
No find, – No Fee ( what have you got to lose )
But don’t instigate a Trace until tenant has left for at least a month, as it takes time for their new addresses to appear on searchable databases.
http://www.Vilcol.com
Mention to Vilcol that Possession Friend recommended them ( not that I’ll receive anything, other than good business relations )
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 15
1:17 PM, 25th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 25/06/2025 – 00:13
Ok thanks will let you know but the tenant does not seem to have found a place might be staying with family. For his benefit seems to have given a random address he does not reside at as i went to the property and the occupant are not aware of him the random property is over a million pounds. .
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 15
2:58 PM, 25th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 25/06/2025 – 13:09
Thanks but doing this already. Tenant hasn’t get found a place hence will give it some time. He literally left his bed, sofa, fridge freezer etc hasn’t got his own place yet likely staying with family for now. Can be traced once on electoral register etc
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 15
12:49 AM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Craig Vaughan at 24/06/2025 – 20:24
Some landlords do pay them off to leave but will be super selective going forward. Paying him off would have saved me time and money but then annoying paying someone who is owing rent. The system does not offer much help to landlords as the court process can drag on and on. No defence was filed still takes ages and bailiffs like 2 months wait.