How to deal with tenant who hasn’t paid any rent?

How to deal with tenant who hasn’t paid any rent?

0:02 AM, 17th July 2024, About 2 weeks ago 25

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Hi, we had rented our 2 bedroom flat in London at the end of October 2023 through a estate agent. The agent did the referencing and the tenant passed. The agents collected the deposit from the tenant.

The tenant didn’t pay rent in November and somehow reclaimed his deposit through a bank chargeback.

Since then, he hasn’t paid any rent. We used solicitors and issued a Section 8 notice, went to court, and secured an eviction order. However, he didn’t show up to court or leave the property.

We have been informed by the building management that they are getting complaints of something dodgy happening in the property. He has not paid any council tax,utilities bill or any rent at all.

County bailiffs are due to attend the property on 1st of August.

Questions:

1)Is there anything the tenant can do now to stop eviction?

2)How was he able to charge back his deposit from the agents. Is the bank or agents responsible for this. What can we do about this?

3) Is there anyway or any chance of collecting the rent arrears bearing in mind that we have already incurred high solicitors fees thus far. Is it worth trying for debt collection?

We would appreciate any advice please.

Thank you,

Ruchi


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Ruchi Chandra

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18:28 PM, 24th July 2024, About 3 days ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/07/2024 - 18:05
Ĥi, you are right.
Can you let me know how can we do this without the large expenses of court, please.

Ruchi Chandra

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18:29 PM, 24th July 2024, About 3 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Kat Scott at 18/07/2024 - 14:15
What is a AOE please
Thanks

GlanACC

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18:52 PM, 24th July 2024, About 3 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Ruchi Chandra at 24/07/2024 - 18:28
To give someone a CCJ use MCOL (Google it), its a government service and you will need to register which takes 10 minutes or less.

Raise a CCJ for unpaid rent, only ask for £300 as you will then pay minimum court fees (£35.00).

The tenant won't contest it, then after (40 days I think) log back in again and ask for a judgment.. CCJ registered and this will be sent to all the credit reference agencies.

No point in asking for a judgment for all the money as the court fee will be prohibitive, and to be honest I think you can probably kiss goodbye to the rent owed. (voice of experience here).

Assuming the tenant uses his own name (or even a linked alias), he will have issues trying to get credit and letting agencies won't touch him with a bargepole.

Ruchi Chandra

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19:30 PM, 24th July 2024, About 3 days ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/07/2024 - 18:52
Ok thanyou will do this. Is it worth trying debt collecting agencies who say gor a fixed fee can track him and attempt to collect the arrears .they charge around 1500.

GlanACC

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20:20 PM, 24th July 2024, About 3 days ago

Reply to the comment left by Ruchi Chandra at 24/07/2024 - 19:30
I have done this a number of times (for non rent arrears), however if the tenant doesn't have a vehicle or substantial assets then you are wasting your money. Over the years I have had to write off around £130,000 - moral of the story is just make sure you are making enough profit to cover your losses.

I know that rents are different as quite often the landlord only has 1 or 2 properties and the loss of rent can be a real issue.

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