Section 21 – I kid you not!

Section 21 – I kid you not!

10:23 AM, 9th February 2023, About A year ago 34

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Hello, I issued a Section 21 Notice to my tenant in December 2021. A consistently bad payer, he had until February 2022 to vacate. He chose not to, knowing full well he could appeal.

The appeal was heard at Willesden County Court. I, foolishly as it turned out, thought I could represent myself. It was a no fault eviction, after all.

I was not looking for the outstanding rent – thousands of pounds – I simply wanted my flat back.

The court sat in early September 2022. By now my tenant had decided not to pay his monthly rent. The judge was in a big hurry. He looked at my tenancy agreement which clearly stated there was NO deposit (long story) and had been signed as such by my tenant.

But amazingly, in my opinion, the judge decided that there might have been a deposit and that this maybe deposit should have been protected by a Tenancy Deposit scheme. I objected forcefully at effectively being called a forger/liar by the judge.

He relented and gave both me and my tenant 1 month to supply further evidence. I did and showed evidence. My tenant did not.

Trial No 2 was set for a few days ago, 3rd Feb.

Low and behold, with 3 days to the court case, for which I had engaged a barrister, the judge postponed until 16th FEB 2024.

That’s a year away and over 2 years from the date of the initial Section 21.

What sort of English justice is this?

I have been totally s*****d by both my tenant and by the County Court judge who thinks that he is allowed to not only invent evidence to benefit the tenant but to kick my case into the long grass. I kid you not.

Section 21. Not worth the paper it’s written on!!!!!

TJP


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Comments

Hardeep Sohal

10:23 AM, 11th February 2023, About A year ago

Hi eviction notice was served October 22 that was a 2 month notice then December the 17th a notice was sent to court , 5th of January the courts confirmed they have received it then February 5th I got a letter from court that I will get possession on February 16th. If tenant dies not move out I can apply for court ,Balliff. So far 4 months. This was a accelerated procedure, which is now a closed court hearing.
When I asked for rent arrears, the tenant replied because you served section 21 I've been advised not to pay you anything.
Wonder who has told them that.

Paul Fletcher

10:43 AM, 11th February 2023, About A year ago

I have been in your exact situation, I leant a big lesson and now go on a damage limitation exercise with tenants where i pay them to leave, cost far less in the long term and you get your house/flat back a lot quicker. Shouldn't have to but the system is so flawed and a lot of the bad tenants know how to play it.

Hardeep Sohal

11:48 AM, 11th February 2023, About A year ago

Hi Paul that is good thing, I tried that with the tenant I offered them there deposit back and double the first months rent back and help them move. They thought it would drag out for a year and they would save alot more on not paying rent.
I was probably Lucky I had a good judge who probably had a coffe before he started.

Christopher Lee

14:41 PM, 11th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Ron at 11/02/2023 - 07:18
Counterclaim for what exactly?

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