How best to trace a tenant?

How best to trace a tenant?

8:49 AM, 29th December 2020, About 3 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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Comments

Ginster

11:46 AM, 30th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 30/12/2020 - 10:30Completely agree, my tenant refused to pay rent in March and hasn’t paid anything since, won’t speak to me or the rental agent - she’s now moved out of the house leaving a few bits behind and the upstairs window open, which is great as it’s snowing in. She won’t give the keys back either. Served a section 8 through a solicitor as rental agent said they had but it turns out they haven’t, tenant worked all the way through the pandemic and now lives with boyfriend (with my 3 bed as the occasional stock room) she owes me currently 8k in arrears, so I too am looking forward to the monthly reminder for her not to be a scumbag, although I suspect the scumbag gene will run deep.

andy Proctor

12:54 PM, 30th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 30/12/2020 - 10:30
Hi I had the exact same problem contacted resolve tracing agency they found tenants new address, it cost me £45 back in 2015 , they delivered would use them again

Pickles

8:27 AM, 2nd January 2021, About 3 years ago

If you have legal expenses on your landlord insurance, they will trace for you and issue the legal proceedings

Judith Wordsworth

11:18 AM, 2nd January 2021, About 3 years ago

My rent owing tenant, with already a CCJ from me for part rent, has been gone for 18 months but is still using my flat address for DVLA (owes car tax), NHS for younger child, Council Tax owed on my flat and laughably for the court for the initial CCJ.

I want to serve a CCJ for the just under balance of £2k and enforcement of intial CCJ but can't as don't have her address. It seems the council has just got her new address, they gave me a telling off for opening her post as redirection has ceased, but won't release it to me. I have her NIC number, and where she is now studying as a 3rd year mature student (if she hadn't been kicked off her course).

Could I have contact details if successful tracing companies used please.
Thank you

The Property Man

19:02 PM, 2nd January 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 30/12/2020 - 10:30
Spot on !! Couldn’t agree more, I always enforce the debt and go for attachment of earning and as you say even if it’s just £20 per month, many £20 per month add up so you could be collecting a decent amount each month. Landlords are to soft when it comes to chasing tenants for damages or rent arrears and think it will cost them more money, yes it will cost money but you can of course add this on with interest to the debt.

The Property Man

19:06 PM, 2nd January 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ginster at 30/12/2020 - 11:46
Don’t let her get away with a penny, I’ve had a few like this and been very successful in getting the debts paid once enforced through the courts. Make sure you get the last laugh !! So many landlords let tenants off which is crazy !! It’s like going to work then having your wages robbed from you !!

Chris @ Possession Friend

19:50 PM, 2nd January 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by The Property Man at 02/01/2021 - 19:02@ThePropertyMan - agreed.
I would draw attention ( maybe not necessary ) that a landlords costs - of pursuing a debt are Tax deductible.

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