Tenant has stopped communicating – what to do?

Tenant has stopped communicating – what to do?

9:16 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago 14

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Hello, Our tenant stopped lines of communication in March. We were communicating by way of email and text, occasionally we tried a phone call but she texted us and said use email and text as her preferred method.

It says on her contract we can email etc. Well, we served a section 21. The notice period expires 25 August when the tenant should be out. We’ve emailed final inspection date and time but, as predicted, we have received no response.

The property is only a few miles away.

My question is: should we call at the door and hand the tenant a hard copy letter of the inspection and maybe try to open lines of communication or just head down the court route?

This tenant is up to date with rent so far.

Thank you,

Wills


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Comments

1875KRO

11:19 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Hi Wills,

I’ve been in this situation myself so I sent my tenant a text, an email and I delivered a letter by hand notifying them that if they don’t respond I will be entering the property. You’ll find they will respond or if they don’t go to the property and let yourself in. We found out when we got there they had done moonlight flit.

William Adams

11:41 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew Heathcock at 11/08/2023 - 11:19
Thank you for the reply , I will take the letter down and deliver it by hand. I think the council are advising the tenant to stay put and ignore LL

1875KRO

11:57 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by William Adams at 11/08/2023 - 11:41
Ahh council 😡. We are currently going through this too with Solihull council. They have advised my tenant to remain in situ until the bailiffs are knocking at the door(how ridiculous). We are on good terms with the tenant and hoping she moves out otherwise it’s down the court route. Watch this space!

Martin Roberts

12:52 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Point out that if she ‘waits for the bailiffs' she is likely to have their fees, and court costs, awarded against her.

She may well find herself with a CCJ if she doesn’t pay these, which won’t help her at all.

Graham Bowcock

13:18 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by 1875KRO at 11/08/2023 - 11:19
But you're not allowed to enter the property without a Court Order.

Graham Bowcock

13:28 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

There's no reason why you can't call round. Just be careful not to get considered to be harassing the tenant as that is a serious offence - be polite, don't go in unless invited, take a witness.

If the tenant doesn't engage at all then you will have to go down the legal route.

David

15:41 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

You are required to give 24 hours notice for inspection, but you don't need a response. You just turn up with your keys. Only if they refuse you access can you not enter.

1875KRO

16:31 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin Roberts at 11/08/2023 - 12:52
Good shout that. Thank you!

Graham Bowcock

16:41 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by David at 11/08/2023 - 15:41
The landlord would need a valid reason to enter the property. Not having one could be construed as harassment. I also wonder what the point of entering would be. If the tenant's there and they answer the door you can have the discussion (or not). If the tenant's out what do you gain by entering?

David

18:53 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Graham Bowcock at 11/08/2023 - 16:41Inspection is a valid reason for attending. In fact its a requirement of the Act.
Clearly any landlord turning up after 24 hours notice should knock loudly and announce themselves but unless the tenant declines to admit them, they have a right of entry.
The point of entering at this juncture is in part to establish whether the property has been abandoned so that the landlord can act accordingly.

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