How should a landlord handle a troubling student tenant?

How should a landlord handle a troubling student tenant?

0:02 AM, 18th December 2024, About 5 days ago 20

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Hi, we have a 3 bedroom student HMO where one of the students has been continually aggressive towards her fellow tenants.

She has cut all communication with myself and I am now only able to contact her via her parents, who are aware that she has mental health issues even to the point where she was recently admitted to A&E for one night.

The other two tenants are now fearful for their safety and are considering moving out. About four weeks ago, the problem tenant suggested in her final email that she reserved the right to leave, but based on recent messages with her father, it seems she has no intention of actually doing so.

I am very concerned for the safety and well-being of all three of the girls in the house including, the problem one. However, I feel helpless in what I can do as a landlord to help?

Any suggestions please?

Thank you,

Steve.


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Comments

Julian Lloyd

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9:55 AM, 18th December 2024, About 5 days ago

You’re not a social worker. Don’t get involved with their safety.
You’re getting too involved. Speak to the Uni they have teams to deal with this.
Write to the guarantor for the difficult tenant and remind them of their responsibilities.
Then stand back. What will be will be and you getting involved will not really help long term but may put you at risk of undermining the tenancy, sexual harassment. Bias. You name it!

Anita Dowman

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9:59 AM, 18th December 2024, About 5 days ago

Mental health is now one of the most common reasons for non payment of rent and anti social behaviour. I don’t want to appear unsympathetic but I’ve seen these incidences cause the landlords to suffer from mental health issues as a result of getting drawn in. If she has been threatening to other people then they are your responsibility. She has breached her agreement and she needs to be served with a notice to leave. You should explain this to her parents who should be doing more to support you and their daughter through this.

Judith Wordsworth

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10:34 AM, 18th December 2024, About 5 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Julian Lloyd at 18/12/2024 - 09:55
Sorry incorrect.

As the landlord knows of the anti-social behaviour of one of their tenants they have to deal with this especially as a licensed HMO.

Judith Wordsworth

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10:41 AM, 18th December 2024, About 5 days ago

I would inform the tenant in writing cc’d to the parents (as guarantors) and to the Dean of the University and to the President of the Students Union and to the University’s Welfare Officer and to the course Head of the Department.
(1) that her anti-social behaviour is unacceptable especially as the other tenants are now fearful of their safety (hopefully you have an anti-social clause in your TA)
(2) That you have no alternative but to terminate her tenancy (you do have grounds for early termination in your TA???)
Then state a date by which she has to vacate.

You have a legal duty under various regulations/legislation to act. Seriously do not dither as should anything untoward happen you could be held partially accountable as you knew of this situation.

Yvonne Francis

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10:53 AM, 18th December 2024, About 5 days ago

Years ago I had a similar situation in a student HMO. I got in touch with their University and they immediately made him go into university accommodation where they could keep an eye on him. My memory is not too clear but I remember his father who would have been his Guarantor was all ok with this and even welcomed it. Another tenant was found to replace him.

What amazed me was that the university could do what I or anyone else could not do. It's why I always make sure my tenants are from the most prestigious and powerful colleges in my town.

Marcus

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13:14 PM, 18th December 2024, About 4 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 18/12/2024 - 10:41
Does that imply that if it were a professional tenant you would recommend contacting their employers and perhaps their union/governing body?

Yvonne Francis

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14:59 PM, 18th December 2024, About 4 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Marcus at 18/12/2024 - 13:14
No it doesn't Marcus. Student lets are a unique part of the letting industry, and they come with unique safeguards, namly the university and the guarantor. Why on earth would we put up with the messes they often make without having some advantages?

Marcus

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15:04 PM, 18th December 2024, About 4 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Yvonne Francis at 18/12/2024 - 14:59
I agree with you. But would the rules/legislation agree with us?

Yvonne Francis

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15:28 PM, 18th December 2024, About 4 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Marcus at 18/12/2024 - 15:04
If the university is sympathetic with the problem reguardless of rules/legislation they do hold the ace card. That's do as I say or I will send you down. In my case my troublesome tenant had hit another tenant and it could have become a police matter. So my tenants hotfooted to avoid a criminal record. If any mental health issues can be proved I'm sure the university would be accused of negligence if they took no action or gave help.

Yvonne Francis

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15:29 PM, 18th December 2024, About 4 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 18/12/2024 - 10:41
Most students have a Joint and Severally liable lease. I thought one cannot give notice to a separate tenant. The lease would have to be dissolved and a new one set up for the remaining tenants if a way could be made to make the troublesome tenant leave.

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