I know where the tenant has gone, can I use the info?

and errr,,,, Ed, it was only 2 bottles.

One of my tenants left owing rent, the house in a dreadful state, and no forwarding address. DPS said they couldn't use her email address to contact her (to ask if she agreed to me keeping the deposit) without her permission, as she hadn't given it to them herself. It was only when the case went to adjudication and I made a statutory declaration, containing her email address that they were able to legally contact her. Seems crazy to me that I could give them a new postal address for a tenant if I had one, but not an email address! Incidentally the same document was useful as evidence for the council and utility companies as she had lied to them about the dates of her tenancy.

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 08/02/2018 - 13:11
I don't like the following regarding ' FindUKpeople.
You have to pay the fee in advance, but then, they'll refund it in 24 hours if not successful ? - doesn't seem to me that a lot of effort - attempts can be made w/i 24 hours !
I prefer MCAtracing.co.uk have used them several times. They are £35 and don't ask you for any money until they have found an address.
PossessionFriend.uk

FindUKpeople.- refund, I don't think that will actually happen, once you have paid the money. when I questioned about how can he proof the accuracy of trace, he just said it is 100% correct from credit resource . But I knew what car my ex-tenants drive, and it is not there. I am glade not just me had bad experience with FindUKpeople.

Tenants lie and misrepresent themselves. And as very punitive data protection laws exist in the UK it is almost impossible to access the real credit or renting history of a "professional" tenant. Add to that the fact that property agents don't really do thorough checks - and will be paid their commission up front - so if the tenant is a serial offender it is the landlord only who suffers the consequences.

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Minor update:

Monday 12th Feb 2018. Day after official end of tenancy.

> Council tax informed
> Water informed
> Elec/Gas informed. Emailed pictures of the gas and elec meter readings to the ex-tenant.

All providers refused to discuss the accounts with me. Which is correct. Given the last and amazingly irrational communication I had with the ex-tenant that included 'no such thing as a checkout process' ; I await the fallout. I also wonder how far back in the queue I am for money owed to me.

The Elec/Gas was the interesting one. The usual way in is the 'house moves team' where normally I get 'that seems to tally with the information we have' and the process is rubber stamped by phone.

Except it's a pause, followed by - just need to discuss this, please hold - then some other department. I have also had this before and is the indicator that the tenant has a less than perfect record despite what they have said.

So I have amended the tenancy agreement to include the non-negotiable conditions:

> The landlord will be a third party user for gas and elec.

> The tenant will write to the water company and permit the landlord to discuss the account.

> The tenant will write to the local authority and permit the landlord to discuss the account.

Comments regarding water company. They do not have a 'third party user' system. They should have. Their systems are a generation behind gas/elec. Getting a meter reading can be fun.

Same comment for local authorities (except meter readings)

Concern regarding providers in general. I think I have voiced this concern before. Errant tenants are responsible for their mess but providers are losing money. My concern is that providers will seek the simplest solution and have the rules changed to permit them to beat up the landlord who will then have to chase the tenant.

General comment about 'third party user' approach. As a landlord I am not here to micromanage others' affairs. My services do not include helping people run their lives. I have my own children. (I've said that before too). But my concern above is a real one.

Having said that, I am actually going to see a tenant this week and help them 'get a grip'. What on earth are parents and schools doing these days???? Ra ra ra ra rant.

Hamish

Reply to the comment left by Hamish McBloggs at 14/02/2018 - 11:07... forgot to mention.
Claim online paperwork done.
Fallout should be spectacular.

Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 10/02/2018 - 21:00
I also will not be using FindUKpeople again either.

So far I count that as three votes against on this thread alone.

Caveat emptor as the expression goes.

Reply to the comment left by Hamish McBloggs at 14/02/2018 - 11:07
Amend the tenancy agreement, yes, for sure, but also provide pre-printed letters for the incoming tenants to sign and then return to you for posting off to the various utilities etc.

Saves a whole lot of hassle later.