tennants and their rights (if any...)

[adamhornsby]

Heres the story, as long winded as it is, heres the story.
My aunt in Filey, moved into a new home, and letted out their other home. They were there 2 years, and seemed friendly enough of what i've heard, they never defaulted on their payments and were looking to buy the place, but recently things started to turn sour, when they defaulted on a couple of months rent, and were doing a runner. Me, my dad and his sis (my aunt) took a look, and she was very upset, everything was trashed. Walls and carpets had holes in, sockets were broken, wallpaper had been damaged, light fittings had been broken and even the oven door had been broken. The tennants said that they 'had nothing to do with the damage, but it had happened on its own, or was like that when they moved in', what a likely story, ovens and light fittings apparently breaking on their own, what cods wallop. The house was filthy, and wasnt suitable for habitation, and i know my aunt wouldnt have left it in such a state, shes a pristine person. So the tennants wont pay the rent they've defaulted on, and wont pay back the bond, they also owe some utility bills, so my aunt has sent the bills to their new address. Do these tennants have many rights, and could my aunt get them back in court?
Obvious answer really, i reckon

[weeal]

im afraid I dont know the answer but someone in the LAW section might be better placed to reply if you post your question there

good luck