Any excuse to withhold rent!

Any excuse to withhold rent!

15:12 PM, 15th March 2016, About 9 years ago 12

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I have a tenant who has a year lease at £625 per month. He has decided to only pay £500 per month. I always have to chase him to get the other £125. It is always over 2 weeks late. excuses

This time I have been very clear that we are not happy about the late balance and it is creating a black mark against his name for our records. He is now starting to get nasty and making excuses for not paying such as the communal door being stiff!

We are always very quick to deal with things if informed but this being a communal door as with any dripping gutter etc we would need to have quotes and agreement of the other owners, there is also the question of acting as a factor.  Yes we are happy to repair the door, but he could in an old property always find something.

Can he legitimately withhold rent here?

Also can I give him notice to quit for being in arrears of part rent?

Pam


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Mrs Loon

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11:38 AM, 22nd March 2016, About 9 years ago

Thank you all for your information and advice. The tenant is only a month into his 2nd years contract having just negotiated a rent reduction. He was persistently late and needed constantly reminded to pay his rent but he did pay every month and has looked after the flat well so I agreed to the reduction to avoid a void and let him sign up for another year. If I serve him notice to quit its like saying goodbye to a years rent which he is in effect due. I am wondering if anyone else has served a CCJ on an existing tenant for unpaid or over due rent whilst still keeping the tenancy going?

Mandy Thomson

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19:09 PM, 23rd March 2016, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mrs Loon" at "22/03/2016 - 11:38":

I've never heard of it, but I suppose it's possible, as a small claim is simply for anyone who owes money under £10k, under any and all kinds of agreement - the money would need REMAIN outstanding though, for some time. In the case of your tenant, this a new debt arising each month, but which he pays within the month (hence why section 8, ground 8 is inappropriate here). Some landlords do this after serving section 21.

Another good reason not to do this is because it would only make the relationship with your tenant worse, and he is likely to become even more hostile - he is starting to turn hostile now, accusing you of poor maintenance. I would serve notice before it gets any worse or he starts involving solicitors and environmental health. I have a friend with a dreadful tenant who makes her life an absolute misery over repair issues (some genuine, but always exaggerated; others just plain nuts).

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