Should I evict a tenant with mental health issues refusing an electrical inspection?
2 years ago | 17 comments
How to deal with an unresponsive tenant?
9:30 AM, 19th September 2024, 2 years ago
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Hi all, please can you offer some suggestions. My tenant does not respond to emails or telephone calls very often and when he does it’s always difficult to arrange a convenient day/time, even for external work.
There are numerous issues at the property including holes in the wall, dog without permission and other property changes. The police forced welfare entry from an anonymous caller. Damaged small panel external door, tenant was inside in bed and was then arrested for resisting arrest. Rapid response arranged by the police secured the door and turned the bottom panel around.
It’s secure and locks and tenant has not complained about this. Insurance excess is the same cost of a full new panel. Tenant said he would pay for the door if the Police are not liable (they are not liable, right address and permission to enter approved) is it worth contacting the police legal department???
I’m concerned as there are 8 more months remaining on the tenancy this could happen all over again, tenant declined key safe. Police have my details as a key holder and agent, but unlikely they would contact me and just force entry!
Should I just replace the panel and take the hit and keep my fingers crossed.Leave it until the tenant leaves? Can he complain about this?
Would the deposit scheme work on this occasion, if it’s repaired? Or do I not bother trying to claim?
There are no other repairs outstanding and any in the past have been completed as quick as possible once access is agreed!
Agent not great so reaching out here.
Thank you,
Alison
Tags:
handling tenant issues, police entry liability, police forced entry, property damage, rental property damage, rental property repairs, Tenant Communication Issues, tenant unresponsive
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Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
9:58 AM, 24th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by havens havens at 24/09/2024 – 09:34
Thank you. Yes it’s tricky knowing whether to do the repair or not given access is difficult and stressful. However, if it would cause problems down the line with the tenant although he hasn’t reported this, he could say the property wasn’t secure, although it was made secure by a rapid response company arranged by the Police. The crack in the panel was picked up from a third party inspection too! (Agent was behind months with inspections, a third party, inventorybase was paid to help them catch up.) I’m just worried about my insurance too, sounds crazy, but if there was a break in and they deemed the door insecure?!?!?!
I telephoned the deposit scheme I think it’s worth claiming later but like you said and Mydeposits too there is no guarantee.
Agree re Police. Yes will do and Ive already got quotes etc. Just need access to measure – so the stress begins all over again! Thank you.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
5:30 PM, 26th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by havens havens at 24/09/2024 – 09:34
Thank you. Yes it’s tricky knowing whether to do the repair or not given access is difficult and stressful. However, if it would cause problems down the line with the tenant although he hasn’t reported this, he could say the property wasn’t secure, although it was made secure by a rapid response company arranged by the Police. The crack in the panel was picked up from a third party inspection too! (Agent was behind months with inspections, a third party, inventorybase was paid to help them catch up.) I’m just worried about my insurance too, sounds crazy, but if there was a break in and they deemed the door insecure?!?!?!
I telephoned the deposit scheme I think it’s worth claiming later but like you said and Mydeposits too there is no guarantee.
Agree re Police. Yes will do and Ive already got quotes etc. Just need access to measure – so the stress begins all over again! Thank you.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
5:31 PM, 26th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 20/09/2024 – 08:44
Thank you. Yes we are selling.
How would you manage the door situation?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
5:36 PM, 26th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Alison Clark at 26/09/2024 – 17:31
I would make as cheap a repair as possible such as the property is secure which you are obliged to do by the tenancy agreement, I wouldn’t bother with the deposit claim as it wasn’t the tenant that did the damage.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
3:34 PM, 27th September 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 26/09/2024 – 17:36
Thank you. Yes thankfully I can replace the panel no need to replace the whole door as it locks and open/closes.
I just hope there are no further anonymous calls to the police and another forced entry. I think I have tried to mitigate any issues. Police have my contact details and agent. Tenant refused a key safe. I can’t think of anything else? He doesn’t know anyone in the area to leave a spare key with!
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
11:52 AM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Sarah Neri at 24/03/2025 – 11:36
I had similar. The tenant had actually left but didn’t give me notice. I shoved a letter through the door saying I would do and inspection in 48 hours. After 48 hours I let myself in and low and behold, no furniture or belongings and a pile of unopened letters on the floor. I posted an abandonment notice on the front door, photographed everything and after 14 days I reentered the property, changed the locks and sold it !
You could do similar, but if there are any belongings or furniture left in the property then you have a different situation and will likely have to go through the court route.
Member Since March 2025 - Comments: 1
11:54 AM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/03/2025 – 11:52
I wanted to do this but was told it’s illegal.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
12:41 PM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Sarah Neri at 24/03/2025 – 11:54
That’s a fair point, you do have to be very careful. I was absolutely confident the tenant had moved out, especially as her daughter had done similar at another landlords property. Apparently mum and daughter were both sharing a property at a new location many miles away. .. and to complicate matters, my missing tenant had converted to Muslim and changed her name – I found that out many months later.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
2:52 PM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Sarah Neri at 24/03/2025 – 11:54
Hi Sarah. Sorry to hear this. I know it is very stressful.
How long is left on the new s21 notice.