How can I get my rent arrears?

How can I get my rent arrears?

0:05 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago 24

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Hello, I have obtained an eviction order giving my tenants 14 days to leave. I do not expect them to do so, so will need the bailiffs. They are £8,100 in rent arrears.

How can I get my money?

If they leave, how can I trace them?

They are on Universal Credit. UC have not been helpful at all when I applied for direct payment. They just gave me this general answer:
We aren’t able to make a direct payment to you for one or more of these reasons:
* your tenant doesn’t receive Universal Credit
* they aren’t in arrears
* their circumstances don’t meet the requirements for direct payments

The tenants are not communicating with me, even refusing access to repair a leaking roof!

What shall I do to get the outstanding rent?

Thank you,

Baz


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Comments

MIkeK123

11:36 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

I have never experienced rent arrears in 15 years of letting a flat out. Admittedly the flat as always been let via letting agents, who would not let to tenants on universal credit.
I have seen several documentaries with a similar problem you have encountered……none got their rent arrears paid back.
I have just put my flat up for sale. The increase in mortgage payments and the tax liability has made it unviable……better to take the equity and place it in a 1 year bond. A bond gives me far more income and comes without the stress of being a landlord.

SteveFowkes

11:39 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

You've got v little chance of reclaiming the money
You can do a MCOL ( money claim on-line) but if they haven't got any money /assets / on UC there's little chance of getting any money back

Welcome to the screwed over world of landlording

Susan Bradley

11:42 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

Seriously just be glad to get your place back. I doubt you will see a penny of the arrears and you will only give yourself torment by chasing it. I have been through this twice now and the first time I was amazed that the person wanted to pay up the arrears - but it turned out that she wanted to be evicted to get a Council house. The Council will not house anyone with arrears so that was why they paid up. The second one who still owes me money took advice from Shelter to stay put and now cannot get a new place from anywhere because they owe arrears and Court fees. The first person knew precisely what they were doing and I had to admire them - they did exactly what needed to be done to become a priority for Council housing. Namely, get an eviction order then pay the arrears, that way they go to the Council with a "clean sheet" and meet the criteria for being a priority.

Rv Suzuki

11:49 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

Please as much as it hurts just walk away it will prolong everything and increase your misery. They won't have any money they will not have any assets . You have to pay for all the paperwork and costs increasing your loss . Put all your energy into getting them out. I have had many tenants on universal credit with no more problems than working so-called safe tenents.

Judith Wordsworth

11:50 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

As you know where they are give the tenant 5 days notice that unless monies are forthcoming or an agreement how to repay these arears notify them that you will be instigating a MCOL on such and such a date.

Should they not respond to the court, and make no attempt to pay the order, then you could request, if they are employed, an attachment of earnings. https://www.pims.co.uk/landlord-attachment-of-earnings-order/

You might even be able to get an attachment applied to benefits.

Susan

11:51 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

Same situation as above, £3k in arrears. Tenant on UC started paying when I served a section 8 but they’re still in arrears. I waited 2 months for bailiff appointment and tenant is in emergency accommodation and hoping to get a council place. All along our communication has been good. We were both following the system. Worrying for those who can’t access their property for repairs though. Place is a mess but I knew that, bought it at auction but definitely overpaid looking at what needs to be done. Long term investment so hopefully it will all be worth it!

TheMaluka

11:56 AM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

In 30 years of landlording with over 80 properties I have never recovered any arrears from a benefit tenant. I can also say that I have never had a benefit tenant who was not in arrears, some from the very start.
So the short answer to your question is "you can't" BUT there is something you can do for the landlord community, get a moneyclaim, judgement for £300 which will cost you £35 in court fees. The ex tenant than has a CCJ recorded which will scupper his chances in gaining another property.

eagle view

12:10 PM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

Send court bailiff to evict them, then account the money for lost rental income and deduct it from your annual tax. Hand over the court debt letter to the debt collectors and let them hunt for you. You might pay some upfront fees, but they will keep hunting until debtor pays up.

SteveFowkes

12:15 PM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by eagle view at 21/04/2023 - 12:10
Can you account for lost rental income in tax returns?
If so how?

Susan Bradley

12:17 PM, 21st April 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by SteveFowkes at 21/04/2023 - 12:15
Only in so far as you have not had or earned that sum so won't be taxed on it.

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