Who pays for damaged door after police welfare call?

Reply to the comment left by Fed Up Landlord at 08/04/2024 - 12:42
I totally understand the urgency of this - and really didn't want to get into a to and fro on line - however in both cases the key holder was standing next to them offering the key but they were so pumped up that the door 'had it' (with the first when no tenant was found, they threatened to arrest the key holder as she was offering the key) on the second occasion they secured the tenants door with a padlock, with info for me inside the locked door and then lost the key to the padlock - they did not secure the main door that they had also burst in through without ringing or knocking or shouting, so all others in the building were then exposed to the outside all night - I was told about this the following morning by another tenant who asked when I was going to fix the main door and they could take the sofa away. Some officers are brighter than others is all I'm saying. I asked why they would not take a key and would they break down all doors until they got to the girl who had taken the overdose and he said he'd break down every f'ing door - appreciate the passion but the keys were available in a split second and doors could have been opening ahead of them as they searched.

I had a very similar incident.
I claimed off my Insurance and the Tenant paid the £200 excess on the Policy

As a retired cop I went to hundreds of concern for welfare jobs. My first port of call was always neighbours. If they had a key, I used it. Neighbours usually know if someone is away, in hospital or in the property. In the case of the OP. His tenant had to option to open the door so their responsibility to pay for any damage to the door.

I had similar, initiated by the local GPs surgery (merely I assess, to remove any liability on themselves) in a HMO.
Broke every room fire door and locked area fire doors (cleaners cupboard, boiler room etc).
A few years back now but cost me neatly £4000.
Try getting that back from.T.....
(Who is generally impecunious).
It's an occupational hazard.
I did chase police - as I belive they were over zealous- they entered rooms on separate ASTs.
Didn't work.
Comments would be welcome

Reply to the comment left by Fed Up Landlord at 08/04/2024 - 12:42
I will try to.
There is the local police property act or suchlike which can use proceeds of crime and other monies raised by selling lost property etc.
LL may not see it how you have written it.
My experience has totally soured my relationship⁰/ perspective of police
Sorry but how it is.
It's not their (core crime fighting) money LL is asking for.
It's 'good works' money.

Reply to the comment left by Fed Up Landlord at 08/04/2024 - 10:16
Have you got any experience if what constitutes 'wrong address'?
Eg.
All rooms on HMO?

Shame you can’t make the tenant pay!

Reply to the comment left by Fed Up Landlord at 08/04/2024 - 12:42
Thank you all so much for responding. It’s my first time posting a message, so apologies if this has been raised previously. If the tenant refuses to pay/contribute, I will contact the Police legal team. If no Joy, then claim off my insurance. How do I claim from the tenants insurance please? The Police now know who are the keyholders are, but it sounds like this doesn’t make much difference. I was wondering if the tenant would agree to a key safe with a spare key for emergencies and give the code to the Police, as I feel this won’t be the last time! I am a new landlord and seem to be having lots of bad luck with what I thought would be a good tenant. I’m dipping my toe in the letting arena but I never thought it would be so stressful. It’s only 3 months in and I’ve had an anonymous caller to the agent from a female stating the tenant has fisted the wall and in court for DV. Agency reported she was very distressed and upset but would not leave her details. During the inspection she was correct but he had a cover story saying it was from the bed when he moved in, but failed to report this 3 months ago?? I was advised by agent we could not do anything about this or discuss with him, although they now visit in pairs. He has also (his version) stepped onto the garden decking and it snapped. No structural problems before or highlighted in the inventory. A friend repaired this, so not too much cost. Now I’ve found out he has 2 dogs, not in the tenancy agreement and when he asked permission (I believe they have been there from the start) this was refused, as I am petrified of dogs and didn’t wish the property to be damaged. He lied saying they had gone to a friends neighbours, but they are still at the property as noted by a tradesman. He works full time and away occasionally. I dread to think what I am facing?!? N I requesting to inspect the repair to the wall after 4 weeks notice to make sure it was like for like (he had already filled the hole in) and agreed to finish the repair. Now he is not answering agent calls/emails. I wish to discuss the dogs and an early release date (signed for 18months) I have spoken with my LL legal adviser but I don’t think anything is worth pursuing. My only options are to serve S21 in 10mths, Do more inspections which I believe the agent charge £50 if less than the 6mth standard and do a rent review. Is there anything I am missing? I am trying to stay optimistic and hoping if I can speak with the tenant I can offer some support as clearly something is going on and maybe Thu ga may improve. Apologies for the long post. I don’t feel like there is much support for LL.

Reply to the comment left by Alison Clark at 09/04/2024 - 22:48
Get ready to evict is all I can say - the police will be of no help. Just be delighted if you get rent and you get your property back. You can try the police but as I posted I had one repaid and told to whistle (very much less politely by the officer in charge) for the 2nd time. They are not going to fiddle around with a key safe if they won't take a key from someone standing next to them. Maybe central London police are more aggressive - I know no others.
Landlords get no help - we have to help ourselves.
I did get some luck a while back when an outgoing tenant suggested his friend took the flat - he was fine but his friend's friends weren't and I found they were dealing drugs from the flat - I offered full deposit return if he (they as it turned out) left - they took it - I guess it was money, and when I turned up to see them out they had to carry a girl out who had passed out on the sofa. The tenant then asked me out - some people just don't get it. This is the only advice I can offer, has worked to me a few times - offering to void the contract and give back deposit and any rent paid up front if they will go with a 'this is obviously the wrong place for you'. try informal first - once authorities (like the council) are involved it's a different ball game. I don't use agents unless it's overseas students (big market in C London) - I've made a couple of mistakes but been able to buy myself out of it as above.

Reply to the comment left by Alison Clark at 09/04/2024 - 22:48
No Alison, there are other options ( than Sec 21 )