It’s happened again!

Reply to the comment left by Mark Alexander at 23/09/2017 – 20:54Hi, I gave them notice to quit because I want to sell the house. The tenants have been there for a year and had good references. However, I spoke to and verified employer refs, but wasn’t able to get hold of the previous landlord by phone, and now think the reference might be fake. I used a section 21 notice, but tried to discuss it with them before doing it formally but they didn’t respond to emails, texts, phone calls, or a letter posted. I had to knock on the door in the end. They were very pleasant, and polite although wouldn’t let me in the house. Throughout the tenancy they have either ignored, or cancelled at the last minute, all attempts to inspect the property, making all manner of excuses, and I was advised that I couldn’t insist on this. They have left the property now, owe £1300 in back rent, and the place is an absolute mess. No actual damage, except to carpets which have all had to be discarded, but looks like no cleaning has been done during the tenancy, the smell is awful, everything is thick with dog hair and grease, and there are piles and piles of dog poo in the courtyard, and I won’t even mention the toilets. They left in the middle of the night with no forwarding address and didn’t leave the keys either. I have tried to claim the deposit back from DPS, who have apparently texted them, but they’ve not responded, so will have to go through adjudication. Interestingly, I tried to give DPS the tenants’ email address but they said they can’t accept it as it is a breach of the tenants’ privacy for me to disclose that information (despite the fact that they asked for any forwarding postal address!)
So, weeks of cleaning and re-decorating lie ahead…. happy days!

It is very unlikely they have disappeared forever.
I wouldn’t waste my time with adjudication or DPS.
Estimates and invoices for the cleaning and carpets (less fair wear and tear) plus the £1300 back rent, then sue them for it.
Court order for the deposit from the DPS, attachment of earnings/3rd party debt order on their bank accounts for the rest.
Tracing agent if necessary.

Bad luck. Disgusting people.