Where do I stand legally with a tennant who won't pay rent?

Question

I bought a house for an investment in the UK in April. I had planned to rent this to cover the mortgage and as luck would have it, the occupier wanted to stay on and rent the house. It was her marital home which had to be sold as part of her divorce but she and her kids were happy to stay on and she said she could pay the rent with her marriage settlement. I got her to sign a tennancy for one year and she paid me 3 months rent up front. She seemed decent and genuine but since then she has hasn't paid me a penny. She owes me 3 months rent and is refusing to answer my calls or open the door, even though I can she she is in. I have been patient and not put her under any pressure but now I just want her out - HELP PLEASE before I become bankrupt!

Answer 1

apply for eviction, because if she was planning on paying you, she would answer the door and try to work something out. she is counting on you being soft because she has children, but you cannot let that make you go bankrupt. she will be out of there, but only after she has played the system so that she can live rent free for as long as she can milk you of your kindness. people like this make it a livelihood out of doing this to people. get tough, and make her deception stop with you. save your investment, and kick this woman out. she will just go on to the next sucker to live for free, so don't feel bad. she will be okay.

Answer 2

I'm in the US so our laws are probably different. First, you must remember this is a business; just because you don't manufacture widgets it's still a business. I had a hard time with that at first and listened to all the stories, etc. Here, we give a "5 day pay or quit" notice. The specific words aren't mandated so I word it so as to be clear that just because they leave in 5 days they're still liable for all costs IAW the lease. After five days, we can go to the district court and take out a "warrant" with a lot of legal jumbo after we pay them $45. A court day is set and you both appear. The court gives them a day by which to be out or you can have the local Sherrif forcibly evict them. It's not a quick process but if you are ORGANIZED when you go to court (meaning, let your documents speak for you; the tenant usually has some fabricated story but naturally no documentation to back anything up. DON'T be like that. Try to anticipate what kind of stories they will tell and just have paperwork to counter any silliness they may have). I've had to do this three times in 21 years and won each case without saying too many words. The judjes DO NOT want to hear words, have pictures of damage for example, a copy of the lease with the violated portions highlighted, etc. Also, wear a suit if you have to go to court. This can be a long process but it works out eventually. Now, actually collecting any damages can be an entirely different situation!

Answer 3

You stand on the winning side!

Apparently she might be having some financial probs. That's probably the reason she's running away from you.

Next time you go over to the house and you see she's home, write a small note and slip it under the door saying you'd really appreciate if she could call you so you can talk about the rent issue. Write expilcitly that you know she's running away from you, and that you would like to settle the matter in an amiable manner without having to involve the authorities. Make it clear to her that you would like to sort out this embarrassing issue like to grown adults.
I doubt she'll ignore you!

Good luck!

Answer 4

The law differ from country to country. Should a tenant not pay rent nor want to vacate the property. The best way to go is to get a court interdict against the tenant. Yes i will cost you money but it's the best way to go. Those days of switching of the water & electricity are way past and this method will only get you into serious trouble.

Answer 5

You have to file in court for eviction based upon non-payment of rent.

The longer you wait, the more money you will lose. Do it now.

You cannot evict tenants by simply calling the cops or changing the locks no matter what some fool tells you. It's called a self-help eviction and it is against the law.

Answer 6

There must be an eviction court there, take her to it and make her move. She don't have to answer the door, send a certified letter with your demand that she leave the premises within 30 days and as long as you have it sent as to proof of delivery who cares if she answers the door, you have got her with the letter and just go from there to finish the process. Good Luck.

Answer 7

You need to serve her with an eviction notice. You need to give three months notice, but if she owes three months rent, that may void the notice. Check with a lawyer or local law enforcement for guidance. The tenant will be dealt with by local authorities who will remove her from the home.

She can be given a deadline to remove her belongings from the residence before she is forcibly removed and the locks changed.

Answer 8

Do you have a legally bidding lease with your tenant? If so, you can start eviction proceedings, and take her to court for any moneys owed you. (That is the law here in the US, I assume it would be similar in the UK) Good Luck.

Answer 9

im live in the usa, if you own the house and you want someone to leave call the local police dept, usually works very well. of course they will probably give her a couple of days, no use in being nice, sounds like an angry women who is used to getting her way, sometimes you have to give people like this a taste of their own medicine

Answer 10

well if i were you id kick her out for not payin rent. but ONLY if you had a signed lease saying she was to pay rent.....if it is YOUR house and she still doesnt leave, call the cops and tell them shes trespassing and have her kicked out...... but you legally can kick her out of your house for not paying rent if you had a signed lease by her..