I know where the tenant has gone, can I use the info?
Monday this week we had a tenant abscond owing rent. Much more than the deposit. (yes, they past references etc.)
The (now) ex-tenant point blank refused to give forwarding details. As is their right.
It turns out the move was very local. There was no stalking, no hanging around street corners dressed as a detective from a black and white movie, no social media searches, I simply went shopping last night for supplies to drown my sorrows over what I assumed was an unrecoverable loss (McGuigan Estate Chardonnay £5/bottle @ Sainsbury) and the information just plopped into my lap.
I want what is owed. What is my legal position?
Can I use this information for filing a claim, the court papers going to the new address?
If it turns out there are utility/council tax/other debts, can I give the information to these providers?
I don’t want to find that I am the bad guy, because I used the knowledge to make someone responsible for their own baggage.
Thanks
Hamish
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Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 254
2:34 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mark Smith (Barrister-At-Law) at 08/02/2018 – 12:05
Mark,
I had committed the ex-tenant’s registration number to memory.
On my way to Sainsbury I spotted the ex-tenant’s car parked outside a house with a ‘let stc’ board up.
In the 2 seconds it took to drive past I saw the ex-tenant in the house surrounded by boxes.
When I got home, Google revealed the property on Zoopla and the information revealed fitted other facts we had been given by the tenant.
Yes I know, don’t jump to conclusions. But really, this is not the disappearance of MH370 and the application of Bayesian statistics to reduce the search area would be overkill.
Thanks
Hamish
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 254
2:50 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 08/02/2018 – 13:11
Luke,
I will use this to confirm my belief.
Thanks
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 254
3:03 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mandy Thomson at 08/02/2018 – 12:33
Thank you Mandy,
It seems sensible to use the tracing agency suggested by Luke P for the elimination of any doubt.
Hamish
Member Since April 2017 - Comments: 10
6:44 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Suggest you hand deliver an invoice relating to outstanding rent to establish the address of the tenant then small claims court via money claim on line.
Member Since September 2014 - Comments: 277
6:48 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
I don’t put much faith in other LLs references as they could give them just to get rid! I’ve become very cynical in this trade, take no prisoners!!
Member Since July 2014 - Comments: 128
8:34 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Rod at 08/02/2018 – 18:48
Correct Rod. So ignore the good references but not the bad ones.
Member Since September 2014 - Comments: 138
9:15 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
findUKpeople, well I didn’t have good experience with them.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
9:27 PM, 8th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by wanda wang at 08/02/2018 – 21:15
I’ve used them countless times and every time have had a positive trace the very same day.
Member Since February 2018 - Comments: 1
8:17 PM, 9th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Absolutely, this information can be used to provide details to courts and to utility providers. Working as a managing agent, we are always grateful for the details to be passed on to us. Tenants very often think that they can get away with the arrears and debt owed, but as you say, debt collection companies can now be bought in to locate people for this very reason.
Make sure the information you have about their whereabouts is 100% accurate before submitting court papers, as money will be wasted if they aren’t. If they register with council tax at their new place, they will automatically be picked up on any outstanding council tax debt anyway.
I wish there was a much easier way to punish these tenants for absconding, it really does seem unfair and in the favour of the tenant at all times now-a-days.
Good luck!
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 254
11:33 AM, 10th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Thank you all.
Without being indiscreet, I will update this thread with general situation and outcome. It may be useful for others.
atb
Hamish