Tenant wants a reduction of rent... help!

[Wickerman]

Bit of a long one, this! :(

I have a rental property that is let to 4 professionals.

One of the tenants joined the property, referred by one of the current tenants.

Less than a month after signing a six month AST for £216 per month (50/week) she is complaining that the rent is too high for the room size (its an average sized room that should easily rent for £50/week and the property is in superb condition).

She has threatened that unless we reduce the rent to £200 per month she will not pay the rent until we evict her.

I have no problem with doing this, however we are using the rental income to live off and really need the money coming in.

We are looking to back down and have written a letter to the lady to this effect, but have also informed her in the letter that we not be renewing her contract (I suspect that she may want to stay beyond this, to be with her friend) so it is a matter seeing who backs down.

My question (finally) is, if we do back down and have to change the rent, how do we do this? Do we write a letter laying down the new rental terms, or do we modify the existing contract?

Any help, as ever, is infinitely appreciated.

[shamstar]

Talk to tenant and say if she doesn't like the room to give notice and leave. Make sure her share of the bills have been settled and room is in good condition (same as when she took it) before returning deposit.

If she doesn't want to pay, then fine mention you will make sure she gets credit blacklisted and you will instruct bailiffs to recover costs and compensation. Obviously you saw id and know her full name and previous address?

That's what i think anyway. There is a firm that has been mentioned somewhere on the boards that evicts problem tenants. Never let the tenant know you are relying on the income you get from them as it gives them the upper hand if they have dodgy intent.

[zoe]

Point out that if she is evicted that you are entitled to recover the difference in payments from her !!! It makes no sence to me she has signed a contract saying that she will pay the rent for the six months, even if you evict her she will need to pay this sum of money !!!

You can't evict her through the courts until she has rent arrears.

I would stand your ground and certainly do not renew her contract. Sounds like a very silly woman to me.

[Dan]

Wickerman,

I agree with Shamster and Zoe, nobody in their right mind wants to go to court and up with a CCJ against them. Stand your ground and take action now.

Don't forget that the letter saying you're not going to renew her contract isn't enough. You must issue a Section 21 Notice. I would do this now as it wouldn't hurt and it might prove to her that you are serious.