tln
23-02-2008, 12:15 PM
Hi All,
This is my first post and first experience as a landlord, so please bear with me.
Firstly, I'd like to advise that when my tenant applied for the property and signed the tenancy, she never advised she would be receiving help with her rent via Housing Benefit.
My tenant signed the agreement and took possession of the property in December 2007. I've had 1 months rent from her directly, and another 4 weeks paid by Housing Benefit.
She's now in arrears by £150-odd, but rent is due on 28th of the month, so another month's rent is due shortly also.
She's been in touch with LA, and advised them she wishes to receive the HB payments, and had confirmation this is going to happen from LA today.
I'm concerned.
I sent her a letter early February about her arrears but had no responce, so I hand delievered a 2nd letter 7 days later, which I had again no responce to.
My solicitor drew up the lease, so I called and asked them to phone her (as I have no number for her) and advise her of her arrears situation and have her attend to this.
I had a call back from the solicitors secretary, advising the tenant had been in and she will phone me regarding my letters.
Still waiting on the telephone call.
Her account has been in rent arrears since the end of January, and haven't seen any money from her, or heard from her.
Have issued 2 letters asking for settlement for her account, neither were coming down hard, but made it clear she has money due, but still heard nothing from her.
She's never at the property. The neighbours have advised they rarely see her there, and when my hubby hand delievered the 2nd letter, she wasn't there.
What's my next step?
I think I'm being over-cautious due to this being my 1st stint as a landlord, but I take rent arrears very seriously - as I'm sure all landlords do.
I am aware that I can contact LA and ask for them to reconsider their decision to issue her HB to me, but only once she is in 8 weeks of arrears or more, and this will not be until end of March (if she doesn't settle beforehand) and I really want this cleared up asap.
Any advice?
This is my first post and first experience as a landlord, so please bear with me.
Firstly, I'd like to advise that when my tenant applied for the property and signed the tenancy, she never advised she would be receiving help with her rent via Housing Benefit.
My tenant signed the agreement and took possession of the property in December 2007. I've had 1 months rent from her directly, and another 4 weeks paid by Housing Benefit.
She's now in arrears by £150-odd, but rent is due on 28th of the month, so another month's rent is due shortly also.
She's been in touch with LA, and advised them she wishes to receive the HB payments, and had confirmation this is going to happen from LA today.
I'm concerned.
I sent her a letter early February about her arrears but had no responce, so I hand delievered a 2nd letter 7 days later, which I had again no responce to.
My solicitor drew up the lease, so I called and asked them to phone her (as I have no number for her) and advise her of her arrears situation and have her attend to this.
I had a call back from the solicitors secretary, advising the tenant had been in and she will phone me regarding my letters.
Still waiting on the telephone call.
Her account has been in rent arrears since the end of January, and haven't seen any money from her, or heard from her.
Have issued 2 letters asking for settlement for her account, neither were coming down hard, but made it clear she has money due, but still heard nothing from her.
She's never at the property. The neighbours have advised they rarely see her there, and when my hubby hand delievered the 2nd letter, she wasn't there.
What's my next step?
I think I'm being over-cautious due to this being my 1st stint as a landlord, but I take rent arrears very seriously - as I'm sure all landlords do.
I am aware that I can contact LA and ask for them to reconsider their decision to issue her HB to me, but only once she is in 8 weeks of arrears or more, and this will not be until end of March (if she doesn't settle beforehand) and I really want this cleared up asap.
Any advice?