Tenant has stopped paying rent!

by Readers Question

9:34 AM, 17th July 2023, 3 years ago 168

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Advice Landlord News Landlord News Landlords Questions Tenant Eviction

Hi all – newbie here and what a mess I’m in! I stupidly rented my house out feeling sorry for a single parent on benefits. The rent is £550 pcm and has not been increased over the 6 years as her benefits would not cover it. I asked for a £50 increase per month in October, and since then the tenant stopped paying altogether.

I issued a section 8 and one week before the hearing she obtained emergency legal aid. One day before the hearing a surveyor attended the property and a counterclaim of disrepair was submitted. I’m due back in court on the 31st but my defence must be submitted by the 20th. I received the court instructions on the 13th.

I couldn’t issue the s21 as all the housing paperwork was lost in a house move. The costs are massive and I’ve run out of funds. Could anyone please offer any advice?

I’m not entitled to legal aid because it doesn’t cover this case.

Thanks,

Tracy

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Tags: counterclaim of disrepair issued by surveyor, how to evict a tenant using section 8, not entitled to legal aid, Rent increase, tenant stopped paying rent

Comments

Happy housing

Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 206

8:52 PM, 4th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Trapes at 04/08/2023 – 20:46
How did u get them to pay rent, my says going to pay and doesnt

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Chris @ Possession Friend

Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1580 - Articles: 16

9:05 PM, 4th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Trapes at 04/08/2023 – 20:46
Trapes, – you should have contacted us.

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Trapes

Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 44

10:19 PM, 4th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 04/08/2023 – 21:05
Thank you Chris – I think I may still need to

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Trapes

Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 44

10:20 PM, 4th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Happy housing at 04/08/2023 – 20:52
I think her legal aid advised her to start paying.

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Chris @ Possession Friend

Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1580 - Articles: 16

11:00 PM, 4th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Trapes at 04/08/2023 – 22:19
you can find email contact details from our web site.

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Shinh

Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 95

11:50 PM, 5th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Solution uk tenants register

Crowdfunding at

https://gofund.me/d95ac5b8

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Southern Boyuk

Member Since August 2023 - Comments: 94

9:00 AM, 12th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Marie Lee at 17/07/2023 – 14:37
I had a T who thought she was clever by saying all that to avoid the S21 and claim for a large amount of damages. She lost 100%

The way you win these cases is good LLship

1 regular inspections
2 history of evidence copies of communications and photos
3 Quotes from contractors and their professional opinion of what caused the damage in writing and photos
4 evidence of your communications written in clear plain language without bias, threat or harassment
5 I create a website with Tenant access only with all their docs epc, e/l cert, gas cert, right to rent links, links to dps etc and update these as legally required for each property.
6 review rents vv costs and market rates with reasonability, Ii would rather have a good long term tenant rather than multiple changes.
7 call outs are always responded same day, I fo not expect to charge for rent and not give good service
8 If a tenant has a wish to decorate and is good at it or getting a pro in,, I’m happy to pay the materials.
9 keep your portfolio to a high standard, you generally get better tenants and income.
10 don’t be a greedy landlord but do run it as a business, Having a good name as a landlord is the best advertisement for good new tenants

Finally, where you can, always have a home owner guarantor

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Happy housing

Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 206

9:14 AM, 12th August 2023, About 3 years ago

Yes but they have to report the issue, I’ve done inspection no communication blocked me

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