Absent Tenant – concerned landlords seeks advice

Absent Tenant – concerned landlords seeks advice

11:27 AM, 22nd February 2015, About 10 years ago 5

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I have a tenant who first took my house in June 2013. First year was ok, then he told me he was going home to Slovakia for a short while but would return soon, meanwhile he would still pay the rent etc. – which he did. Absent Tenant

Then he came back for a while and renewed his tenancy agreement (up to May 2015) and went away again saying he’ll return in early January 2015. But so far he has not returned.

Up to date the rent is being paid but I am becoming concerned about the situation. I have notified my insurer and they are ok provided the heating is left on low and I visit the house once a week. Now the gas bill has gone into arrears and they are suggesting a cut off or pre paid meter. I would prefer a meter and have cooperated with British Gas re keys and access.

Nevertheless, the situation is beginning to worry a little. Anyone got any thoughts/experience on this type of problem?

Many thanks

Mike


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Comments

Anthony Endsor

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12:14 PM, 23rd February 2015, About 10 years ago

Hi Mike

Well it sounds as though so far you have handled the situation correctly, in that you have kept the insurance company in the picture, etc, which is vital. You're also co-operating with the gas board, so hopefully that should work out fine.

I'm not very sure what the answer is really. If the tenant is continuing to pay the rent, there is no reason to evict at this stage. For this reason also, the house cannot be considered abandoned.

I would say as long as the tenant is not breaching any rules in the agreement, and there are no issues with anyone else, i.e. insurance, etc, don't worry about it for now. Obviously if issues develop or the tenant stops paying rent, or doesn't return for a long period of time, then you would need to think again.

Joe Bloggs

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12:29 PM, 23rd February 2015, About 10 years ago

presumably youve tried to contact him and next of kin etc by all the usual methods? if no response i would report to police as missing person. it must be a breach of TA to leave unoccupied for so long.

Altair

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8:59 AM, 28th February 2015, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "23/02/2015 - 12:29":

Update: The tenant has now texted me from Slovakia saying he is returning in early March.

Thanks for all your comments.

SGSAM

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10:08 AM, 28th February 2015, About 10 years ago

I had a tenant who did this to me. Went back to Mauritius because of some visa problems. Its vital to keep in contact so you can get written permission to enter the property to make sure all is secure and your insurance isn't void. My tenant stopped paying the rent after a while and kept giving silly excuses why he wasn't paying. I eventually started the eviction process. This was expensive and annoying for all parties but once the tenant got wind they were going to be prosecuted they came back to UK in a flash and begged me to stop proceedings. Thats when I realised the problem with Visa's was going to get alot worse for them if they got a conviction. Anyway I got my money, I called off the courts and everyone was sort of happy. It wouldn't have worked if the repossession order hadn't got back to the tenant. I had to go to the property pick it up scan it and e-mail it to the tenants so they new I was serious!! - The law is definitely in the tenants favour in this instance. If they completely vanish off the face of the earth you cannot remove their possessions and change the locks. If they return they can get the property back through the courts regardless of how much money they owe, so your only route is eviction.

Ian Ringrose

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10:53 AM, 28th February 2015, About 10 years ago

And if they never come back to the UK, good lack enforcing a CCJ!

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