Tenants “blackmail” me to lie to council?
The court has granted me S21 possession, vacate date was 18 January. The tenants had promised to move out on 18 Jan, but again they lied, and still refuse to leave, and now this “blackmail” from them to lie to the council.
Tenants texted to say they have viewed a few council houses, and the council will ring me soon. The tenants warn me NOT to tell the council about their rent arrears, or else the matter with them leaving my property will become complicated and prolonged!
Of course, nothing about how their rent arrears are going to be paid back.
What are the consequences of (1) telling the council the truth, (2) ignoring tenants’ “blackmail”, (3) just sending the bailiffs
What other dirty tricks can the tenants come up with?
Have any landlords been “blackmailed” like this?
What did you do?
Thank you for your time.
Mei
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Letting agent closed their office?
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 788
3:44 PM, 24th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Or what this landlord can do is to tell his tenant he is not going to lie for him, if he wants a good reference then he pays him all outstanding rent then he has no problem saying the truth which is he owes no rent arrears.
Otherwise, continue with further eviction process i.e. bailiffs etc, get rid of these scum tenants who do not take paying rent as a No 2 priority after food. (yes plain and simple food , not a lavish meal daily with tons of beers and parties every other weekend.
I got rid of one such a scum of a tenant, I still see him as he still owes me £3,600 in rent arrears, since evicting him he has had to move 4 homes. Good for him, and he was a friend of mine, I even kept him free for two years.
Member Since July 2020 - Comments: 16
9:24 PM, 24th January 2022, About 4 years ago
The council is not your friend at all
they will insist to see Ballif letter before rehousing them and they will always tell the tenants to not leave until the Ballif forces them out
THE COUNCIL IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE
Member Since July 2018 - Comments: 23
10:05 PM, 24th January 2022, About 4 years ago
From my experience the only time the council will help them is when the have the letter from the Ballif’s in their hands and go down to the council office saying they are homeless and on the street.
These guys are playing for time, move onto the next stage and get the bailiffs instructed, I hate to be harsh but that seems the way you must go.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3237 - Articles: 81
12:42 PM, 25th January 2022, About 4 years ago
I’ve had this hundreds of times.
And I have years ago gave tenant a good reference cause I cun’t afford to have them in my house any longer. Wrong I know, but when u got no money coming & house being damaged, we do what we do to look after our finances.
However now when I get asked & I did in 2019, cause I can afford a loss now, I told the Council full truth that this tenant diabolical, wrecked house, don’t pay etc. It cost me more damage, less rent, bailiffs & court costs etc but I can afford the loss now & I told Council Please whatever u do, do not put this person onto a Private Landlord to make his life torture. I couldn’t afford the loss years ago & she could make some unsuspecting Landlord go bust.
I’d rather lose 10k now & not have any other Landlord lose 10k who may not be able to afford the loss. It’s not right how they can keep moving into Landlords houses wrecking their lives.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 452
2:05 PM, 25th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Keep a record of that text from tenants- take a photo of it as well. If it goes back to court, courts will take a very dim view if it. If you gave a false reference you could be in a very difficult position if they forced it back to court! IE they say they didn’t get the paperwork…..
Remind tenants you could be asked for a reference at any future date….. their text will also be part of the reference!
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 2
6:12 PM, 25th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mabina at 24/01/2022 – 12:02
What is this RPS system? Thanks.
Member Since January 2020 - Comments: 10
7:25 AM, 29th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Instruct bailiffs asap, the council will not have any properties available for your tenants and will advise them to stay put until the day the bailiffs arrive, they will then try to rehouse them. Forget about any arrears as you won’t be seeing any of that. In the mean time make sure you request the council pays you their rent directly due to the arrears.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1435 - Articles: 1
9:19 AM, 29th January 2022, About 4 years ago
I have never had a Council ask for a landlords reference. If a tenant had made themselves homeless then a Council has no duty to rehouse (from a Council – a Labour Council)
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508
10:23 AM, 29th January 2022, About 4 years ago
To give a false reference may expose yourself to being sued for damages if the person you gave it to suffers loss.
Don’t lie.
Member Since November 2015 - Comments: 2
5:37 PM, 29th January 2022, About 4 years ago
I had this. Why should you help these scroungers to get a council house? There are millions of hard working honest people who deserve it more. By not mentioning the arrears you are rewarding them for cheating you. You have your possession notice, get the bailiffs in without delay.
When I had the same, I didn’t have the possession order, took me 12 months longer, Shelter screwed the tax payer to enable them to stay, but I’m glad.
Not even a ccj against them. Next time get RGI.
You’re welcome