Update with Some success

Update with Some success

11:13 AM, 15th August 2018, About 6 years ago 43

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Some may remember my problem with a tenant owing approx. £4k in rent arrears.

I served the s8 notice and then just as I, via a solicitor as unsure, submitted the court papers I got 4 days notice from her that she was leaving and for me to be there or she would shut the door and throw away the keys.

Well she vacated, leaving trashed carpets, filthy cooker, broken window and unwanted rubbish etc.

Last Wednesday she emailed me to say she had got £3k from a loan shark and would pay me this as long as I would take this as an end of her rental arrears.

I decided that this would at least give some of the arrears, leaving £566 outstanding, but none of the legal/court/interest owing. She didn’t show for the first appointment citing she had something important come up but, surprisingly, did for the 2nd…. with the money in cash. I gave her a receipt which stated that this was for the rental arrears and verbally stated that too.

I then received an email from her saying she was glad this was finalized and that I should remember this for references. I replied that whilst this money cleared her rental arrears this did not clear the court fees/legal costs etc amounting to approx. £1,400.

I got an email back saying I was shameless expecting her to repay these monies, that as she expected me “to wake up” she recorded the meeting and I could see her in court as she wasn’t going to give me another penny and she was going to change her email.

Luckily I have managed to trace her guarantor so have an avenue, also the s8 court hearing on the 2nd September.

She is being chased by at least 4 companies for monies owing, but she is off to Kingston University in October to do a mental health nursing degree with student finance paying her £12k pa in a mix of loan and non-repayable grants, plus fees loan which she has no intention of ever repaying as she says she will be off back to Zimbabwe.

Wonderful isn’t it.

Judith


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Comments

user_ 8640

11:40 AM, 15th August 2018, About 6 years ago

Obfuscated Data

BB

8:12 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

A Mental Health nurse Ffs!!.....well let's hope she qualifies, as there ll be a few landlords requiring her assistance. Probably on a "payment in kind" basis. What on earth is the country coming to? But thanks Judith this did amuse me.
BB

Martin Thomas

8:34 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

If she's from Zimbabwe, how can she be entitled to student loans/grants?!!!

MikeT2018

8:46 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

Hi Judith

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you faced with this tenant. Sounds like a relief that she has gone! Can i just clarify a couple of things?

What was her earnings and what was the rent?
What referencing did you do before giving her the tenancy?
Did you meet her personally prior to handing her the tenancy agreement and keys etc?
Did you "choose" this tenant from a list of tenants available or was this the only tenant that agreed to take the property?
Were there any indicators that you could share that, looking back, were warning signs that you missed? How could you have done this differently?
Finally, what was the quality of your property v the area? On a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (amazing)?

Sorry for so many questions, but it's difficult to totally process the situation based on her just owing you £4k? I hope you don't mind.

Kind regards

Mike

peter styles

9:08 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

be grateful you have gotten any of the arrears back , you have done better than a lot of us . Just walk away no need for any more stress .better luck with the next one .

Gunga Din

9:28 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

I hope you've been in touch with Kingston University!

Peter French

9:37 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

Out of interest are your court fees/legal costs of £1,400 actually recoverable?

Usually I only get the court fees (approx. £350 for possession order and £120 for bailiff) plus a fixed amount for legal fees of something like £80. Although that is for a s.21 notice.

Monty Bodkin

9:46 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by peter styles at 16/08/2018 - 09:08
"Just walk away"

No way!

Firstly it makes good business sense to chase the debt. There is a good chance of collecting. She hasn't paid up out of the goodness of her heart, she's obviously worried about the consequences. Plus there is a guarantor to go after.

Secondly, there is a moral obligation. This is not a victimless crime. Not only is this thief stiffing the landlord, she is also pushing up rents for decent tenants. Not to mention robbing us all of the 20% or 40% tax that would have been paid on the rent.

Well done Judith for getting this far, don't give up now.

Siobhan Southern

10:35 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

Well done Judith, my tenant left me with £3.5k arrears, and the house in similar condition to yours, except my tenant moved to the house next door. She's paying me £20 per week via DD. By the time I repaired and redecorated, I was broke and had to sell. The buyer has moved in as a tenant while she tries to get a mortgage which will take 6months, due to becoming recently self employed. But at least I'm getting rent in the interim. This is my second encounter with arrears on this property and I can't do it anymore.

martinB

11:10 AM, 16th August 2018, About 6 years ago

Is there anything to stop you naming this woman here - it will be in the court records.

Also is there a register online anywhere for landlord to report tenants who they would not let to again - I guess there is some stupid law that prevents it

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