How best to trace a tenant?
8:49 AM, 29th December 2020, 5 years ago
17
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A tenant recently left my rental property with no forwarding address. The keys have been returned and there is an outstanding debt and damage caused to the flat.
Do any readers have recommendations for how best to trace the tenant to contact him and chase/register the debt against him he has left?
Thank you in advance
Colum
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
8:55 AM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Hi Colum,
I would contact one of our longest standing sponsors and industry leaders at Paul Shamplina’s team of Landlord Action.
>> https://www.property118.com/evicting-tenants-landlord-action/
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 17
10:25 AM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
If it is only the initial trace we have used findukpeople.com with success before. Patience is the key as they need to put down roots elsewhere.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 197
10:59 AM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
In addition to the other suggestions you could try a ‘search’ on social media. Face book, twitter etc. Good luck.
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 306
11:01 AM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
try https://findermonkey.co.uk/
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1575 - Articles: 16
12:12 PM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Most cost-effective Tracing we use is VILCOL – £35, ( No-find, No-fee )
( say we referred you, if you would. Neither of us will financially benefit, just a relationship token gesture )
We have helped clients with longer term detailed tracing suggestions ( and offer free advice – if you need )
Member Since March 2020 - Comments: 4
12:56 PM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
A rental agent told me it’s best to wait for six months – this gives the tenant time to re-register their new address, otherwise if they don’t it comes back to your address. You don’t want to waste anymore money!
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1575 - Articles: 16
12:59 PM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Ginster at 29/12/2020 – 12:56
Not as long as 6 months, Yes, you need at least a month for the ex-tenant to start notifying various places of their change of address.
With No-find, No-fee, you don’t pay until an address is found.
Member Since March 2020 - Comments: 4
1:23 PM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 29/12/2020 – 12:59
I don’t know if I would have re-registered everything in a month??
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508
5:14 PM, 29th December 2020, About 5 years ago
About 1,000 years ago when I did debt collection, we used enquiry agents. You don’t ask how they get their info but be thankful for it.
Next question, searchers cost money. Debtor worth powder and shot?
Member Since December 2013 - Comments: 179
10:30 AM, 30th December 2020, About 5 years ago
At the 35 quid it costs me than yes it is. No trace no fee. Tracer will try again after a further time period later- afterall its only a few keystrokes on a computer.
Gotten many a ccj this way with attachment of earnings seeing money rolling in for years to come. Some might only amount to £20 a month but as say it comes in for years and multiple 20s a month add up. I also take delight in knowing everytime they see the deduction in their paypacket from the court it reminds them they should be more honourable.
Plus if more landlords didnt display such apathy then maybe we would have more chance of keeping the scumbags out with a CCJ registered against their name before we agree a let.
With the erosion of landlord rights it’s never been so important.