I’m Evicting My Tenant

wow, hey, sorry to hear… perhaps next time you’ll only allow tenants in full-time employment? i’m not sure i would’ve accepted a tenant on benefits - with all due respect, to you and them, i mean, i’m sure there are many honest people on the dole temporarily due to personal circumstance or whatever (i could well have been one of them myself at some stage, though it never happened, thankfully, but look at j.k. rowling, for example). even so, if it’s MY property we’re talking about, then it’s a different story, and i won’t let anyone in who can’t prove they are solvent, responsible, tax-paying citizens.

good luck to you - you deserve it. that’s something else that pisses me off, is seeing how a well-intentioned chap like yourself, eager to do the right thing, concerned about the welfare of your tenant and even doing research on how to be a good landlord, should get screwed over by some selfish, irresponsible person who doesn’t give a flying moneky’s about anything or anyone.

won’t even start speaking about the people at the council… other than to say that these people are just as uneducated as the next guy, doing their little job, earning under £20k a year, completely unaware of what goes on beyond their little desk space every day… pfff…

Hey Tany!!!!

Good to hear from you, it’s been a while, innit, bruv?

Maybe i’m naive, but I think it’s easy to get a dodgy tenant in full-time employment, just as easily as a dodgy tenant on social benefits. That’s why I accepted a DSS tenant. There are genuine people on benefits, unfortunately I just got the short straw this time.

But to be honest, I’m not that bothered because I’ll recoop my money. Homelet will give me 50% of 2 months rent, which will come to £775, and on top of that, I have my tenants security deposit, which is £775, so I’ll regain all that i’m owed!

I just hope my tenant gets what she deserves. Moreover, makes me realise how annoying it is when people rave on about all these “forigners” coming over and start claiming off the covernment, acting as if Brit’s don’t scam their own goverment.

How are things, son?

I am sorry about your tenant and 100% agree that she is fleecing you. However the way you describe the problem is a little bit unprofessional and very aggressive anyway good luck with your debt collecting.

Hey Andy,

Thanks for your comments.

I’d just like to clarify a few things. Firstly, i’m not a professional, so sounding unprofessional is fine with me. Right now i’m an unprofessional, bitter landlord with a mental tenant. Bad combo, right?

Secondly, this is my personal blog, it’s not a professional or business orientated site. I bleed my thoughts and opinions for what they are; if I started sugar coating my thoughts and was “PC” about everything, this site would be just another snotty read and another typical property site. I try to give my “real” thoughts and experiences.

I’m sure MOST landlords would have similar “thoughts” if their tenant did the same to them.

I don’t approach my tenant in the nature I expressed in my blog; I’m genuinely calm and a little more understanding to her face, but behind the scenes…SHE DRIVES ME INSANE!

I hope that makes sense, and you can appreciate what i’m saying.

Once again, many thanks.

Kind regards.

After reading this forum and indeed many forums lately, I do sympathise with the landlords - they were good enough to let their property so the tenant should be good enough to pay the rent. Sadly some dont pay their rent and some cause a complete havoc to landlords and properties. Ofcourse this gives the good people a hell of a bad name and people like myself and my family cant get any where near a decent property. I and my wife had to give up work to look after 2 of our children with severe ADHD ( a job in itself I might add) and they are now on the disabled with another child on the edge of the same illness. We are a genuine family looking for a decant property but we cannot find any landlord to take us. We are trying to locate to scotland in to a large property but because of the capours going on with DSS we are finding it impossible.
We are finding that because of the fact of bad tenants on DSS - we are amongst the other good people that feel as though we are living in Nazi Germany and being persecuted just like the Jews.

Hey John,

I’m extremely sorry to hear about your situation- it sounds dreadful not being able to gain tenancy in decent acommodation.

I honestly have no problem with DSS tenants. In fact, I have 2 DSS tenants. In my opinion, ANYONE can be a bad tenant, regardless of their circumstances, it’s just a luck of the draw for landlords. I’ve had good and bad experiences with DSS tenants.

I sincerely hope it all works out for you and your family.

Kind regards.

i think whoever catergorises dss tenants is small and narrow minded!
the majority of people that have ended up in this situation have not chosen to be there.
i think that individual situations should be looked at by the landlord and previous landlord refrences should be requested.
i think alot of dss tenants have given the rest of the dss tenants a bed name and do not think this is fair.
im glad that 1 bad tenant has not influenced one landlord to stop accpepting dss tenants and i think the woman that has done this is clearly taking advantage of the benefit system and i hope she is made to pay beck every penny she has snorted injected smoked or whatever!

Hi mate
Im currently in a similar situation as you described above. im a landlord noob so have had the piss taken out of me by so called decent tenants.

These people moved in and paid their rent for the first 2 months between that time the tenant changed the gas & elec supplier without any consent from me. He also let the waterboard in to the property to fix a water meter without my knowledge.
To top it off he apparently “lost his job” and started to claim housing benefit without informing me. I only found out because the local council contacted me to confirm my name and address at my home address as i was not on the electrol roll.I bit my tongue and confirmed every thing with housing ben office hoping i might get some rent…..like hell.
I phoned the council eventualy as he did not contact me at all during this period and lo behold his claim had gone through and he had received housing benefit 2 weeks ago but no rent for me.

Im currently 1 month in arrears I have contacted the tenant he says he will pay me when only he and god knows.

im sure you know the feeling of frustration I wonder if you coild pass any advice it would be appreciated.

thanks

Anj

I had a problem with a couple who i rented my house to in north devon around ten years ago. At the time i was living in gran canaria. My lovely neighbour reccomended a very nice couple over the road needed a place to rent as their tenancy was ending. Anyway they came round and seemed a really lovely couple. So we agreed a date for them to move in. First six months were ok then they started falling behind with the rent, delaying paying me on time and i was very considerate until one month a cheque bounced. I phoned them up straight away and got a mouthful from the women. At the time i was back in the uk living in my native county essex. The next day i got in my car and drove to devon with my then “Scally scouse” boyfriend. When we arrived in N.Devon i knocked on my door and she opened it with a very Worried surprised smile. Her husband out in the back room went out in the back garden shouted over the fence to their neighbour call the police. Police turned up as nice as they were they said i had to go as this was a civil matter. I stood on my doorstep looking at this scum thinking you aint getting away with this. It was freezing so i decided before i get drive back to essex. I had one thing to do so i got back in my car parked it around the corner and waited till around 5 the next morning. When i knew they were getting up for worked i zipped my jacket up and waited just in this ally way just near my house. As they walked by i jumped and smacked her straight in ugly mouth She didnt sound so cocky then. In fact looking back it was pretty silly thing to do as i got nicked. Got off with a common assault charge. Got my house back no damage. But they still owed me £1500 in rent arrears. I found out where they lived and and made sure i passed their house as often as i could which really freaked her out. About a year later i sold the house. I feel so sorry for anyone in this situation. Fortunatly i didnt have a mortgage as the house was paid off however the distress this caused me was very stresful. After someone said i should have gone in when they were at work changed the locks hired a van and had their stuff removed pref to the local tip. As there was no contract their would be no proof.

Hello people! I am in a similar situation and was also lucky enough to be assaulted by my tenant! I can not sleep for thinking about the whole incident. This only happened less than 24 hours ago. I am 6 months pregnant by the way. I served a section 21 notice to quit to a tenant that has been nothing but a nightmare. Her contract ran out a couple of days ago and despite numerous letters and phone calls asking her and her said husband to confirm when they will be leaving the property…they never returned any of my messages. I went there on the last day as stated in her contract and eviction notice and she had the cheek to say to me that she was not moving anywhere and was shouting behind the door that I was harrssing her! I remained calm even hough at this point my blood was boiling, I asked calmly if I could come in to talk. Her husband opened the door five minutes later and as he was coming out of the door I pushed myself in. At this point he grabbed me and tried yto push me out but as I was half way in the door I got slammed against the door post with his hand pressing on my belly. At this point I screamed and shouted for my partner who was on the ground floor (as I didn’t want her feeling intimidated I asked him not to come upstairs with me)that I was hurt. It was when the husband saw my partner (who towers over him) that he let go of me. I called the police and reported the assault. An ambulance was also called and I was taken to the hospital for checks toake sure that my baby was ok. I get the feeling that she is intending on using me to get a council apartment as she was keen for me to take her to court that way she gets what she really wantes. Like Debbie, I am tempted to wash her mouth out with detergent and give her a taste of her own medicine. I have never had such a nightmare before with a tenant. I thought I have been lucky so far. She is a professional, well a training Pharmacist with a face so lucky only a mother would look at twice.I just want this devils child out of my HOUSE!I have offered her deposit in cash and even extended time fo rher to find another place, but all is not working. Does anyone know people that will help me in moving her out (I know this is not the ‘right’ way), but apart from spending more money in court and being assaulted by them what other choices do I have? The law in this country is screwed up! Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Also do I file an assault charge on her husband? and can I be made to leave the flat if I plant myself in and stay there? Someone please help me!

Hey Donna,

God, what you’re going through sounds awful. I can’t even imagine, especially since you’re pregnant; I hope stress doesn’t become overbearing.

Inconsiderate tenants really get my blood boiling. The problem is that you’re right; the country is messed up when it comes to landlord’s rights. Landlords aren’t allowed to force entry, they’re not allowed to independently reclaim their property; they basically can’t do anything without going through the appropriate lawful steps. It’s a joke, because the “right” process is a lengthy and costly process.

The saddest part is, your tenants could file a complaint against you, because a landlord cannot enter his or her property without giving at least 24 hours notice to the tenant, which the tenant must agree to. Requiring permission to enter your own property when it’s being occupied by someone that isn’t meant to be there is ridiculous.

Funny thing is, my tenant wanted the same thing. She actually wanted to get evicted so she could claim a council house- unbelievable. And the sad thing is, she probably got one as well.

It’s completely up to you which path you walk down- the legal route or ‘the route that should be legal’. You can take this through the court and eventually get her evicted. But as we both know, it can take time and prove to be costly. Or, you could take the matter into your own hands and hope they don’t try and prosecute you. I mean, I’m assuming you do have keys to the property. Have you thought about changing the locks when you’re certain they’re out? Of course, it’s not the right way, and I’m not endorsing the method, but it is an option.

I hope everything works out, sorry I couldn’t have been more help. Let me know how things turn out. If there’s anything else anyone here can do, just let us know. There’s more active people in the forums, so you could start a thread about this there, and you may get more help.

Hey Anj,

I certainly know the feeling of this level of frustration, and i’m sure everyone else in here can also relate.

I went through the exact same thing for 2 months and it drove me near insane. Fortunately, I got through the process quickly. As soon as my tenant was in breach of contract (by being more than 1 month in arrears) I sent a legal letter telling her to get out. That scared her off, thank God.

But my tenant was also recieving benefit cheques, but I didn’t seem to be seeing any of the money. I believe she was using her benefits to pay off other debt.

Have you sent an eviction notice? I think that should be your next step.

Thank you for your response. I have filed an assault charge against the both of them and as the husband is not named on the tenancy agreement and I was not made aware of him in the first place, the Police reckons he shouldn’t be there. I am hoping that when it goes to court (the assaulkt charge that is) he will be asked to leave as he is not meant to be there and hopefully she will leave then also. My head is everywhere. If I change the locks and move myself in as my house is currently not livable anyhow and as I have a child and another on the way, would they ask me to leave if I am in the flat and intend on staying there? It seems insane for me to be paying rent elsewhere when they are in my flat… what are my chances with this and what happens with the assault charge filed against them?

Hey Donna,

Hmmm..the problem with taking them to court on that charge is that they can easily just say, “he was visiting, he doesn’t stay there. We’re going through family problems and are trying to resolve them”- or something as lame. It could prove to be difficult to provide proof to indicate that he is a perminant tenant. That’s my only concern. You need solid evidence, otherwise you could be wasting your time and money.

Have you seeked professional legal advice? You could just pop into your local Citizens Advice for further details on your rights.

I was thinking more along the lines of changing the locks and getting new tenants in immediately! But as already said, it’s a risky option!

I’m hoping that the assault charge could just scare them off. Make it clear that if they leave you’ll drop the charges. I don’t think a Pharmacist would want anyhing like that on her record!

Thanks a lot for getting back to me about this issue. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of landlords going through similar situations- hopefully they can learn from your story.