Oct

Landlord vents anger at councils who tell bad tenants to ignore eviction notices

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A concerned landlord has shared his frustration at the way councils manage problem tenants facing eviction by telling them to stay put while they are found alternative accommodation, informing the tenants that they will be making themselves ‘intentionally homeless’ if they move out.

His “tenant from hell” was physically violent, had mental health issues and threatened neighbours, while wrecking his house – but he ended up having to bear the burden.

After he served a Section 21, she found another property, but became violent before moving in and the new landlord refused to give her a tenancy. However, the council insisted that she move back to her original home because she had a six-month tenancy.

“I tried to persuade officers that it would have been more sensible to get a court to grant possession, as there was a strong likelihood of the tenant being homeless very soon, requiring me to incur unnecessary and substantial costs,” he tells LandlordZONE. It refused.

Insult to injury

To add insult to injury, despite having provided evidence to Universal Credit, including a statement from the prospective landlord and council that she didn’t move in, it refused to reinstate benefits to his property as she’d told them she had moved.

While advising tenants to remain until bailiffs arrive or a court order is produced, councils don’t warn tenants about the possible consequences of such an action, says the landlord.

Bailiffs or High Court Enforcement Officers can turn up without notice so tenants have an hour to vacate, putting their belongings at risk, while the landlord can then get an order for costs and a County Court Judgement against them, which affects their credit record and might also dissuade prospective landlords from offering accommodation.

“It seems this policy of advising tenants not to move happens, not because it is the right thing to do but because it is the easiest option given the problems, cost and officer time associated with the alternatives,” he says.

Read more about evictions.

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