Stubborn Tenant!

[Smowball]

We own a house up North and we have a tenant. The tenant was in it when we bought it and it was always our intention to sell it. It was explained to him very clearly that he would not be evicted as he has a secured tenancy agreement and he seemed fine. However, every time a prospective buyer came up he cancelled the viewing hours beforehand with any excuse whatsoever - kids were ill, he had a doctors appointment etc etc.

Anyway his tenancy was due for renewal on 1st of March, and we spoke to the agent and said were only going to renew it if he stops being so difficult about letting people view the house - he is NOT going to be evicted. He agreed and said he would now let people in. So we renewed it. This week we had two viewings arranged for this afternoon which we were very excited about. He has literally just rang the agent 2hours before the first viewing saying he is ill and nobody can come round!! So yet again not one single person has been able to view this house!!
Where do I stand legally??

[chelle7272]

Evict him, it's gone on long enough now

[chelle7272]

Any thing here helpfuk?
https://forums.landlordzone.co.uk/forum/residential-letting-questions/32574-tenant-obstructing-selling-of-house

[Smowball]

But we have just renewed his tenancy for 6 months.

[Canary42]

Rather naive to renew until you had seen active compliance - he's taking the ***.

[snags]

''But we have just renewed his tenancy for 6 months''

Really don't understand why you did that after reading your thread back in January regarding this.

[Smowball]

I know, I know, but the agent had gone to visit him and had a thorough talk and explained he was being unreasonable and he confessed he was just convinced that if someone else bought the house then he would be made homeless, so he was told that wouldn’t happen and so he agreed he was being silly, and that he would let potential buyers in now.

[Baldric]

Mrs B and I have six rentals between us, let's just say we are firm but fair and so far have had no problem Tenants
You are being far too lenient with him Smow, get rid.

[Smowball]

Chelle that’s shocking reading, blimey!

[chelle7272]

Write to him asking for compliance. He will need a reference from you when he moves on, tell him you won't be able to provide one if he can't abide by the terms he agreed.

[Smowball]

Well we have the option to give notice 2 months before the 6 months ends so we either just wait it out till then or go thru the legal route. And yes Baldric, everyone , I agree we’ve been too lenient. Think what with being our first house with a tenant we weren’t too sure just what he could get away with. #learnthehardway

[nicebloke1]

He is obstructing the sale of the property, therefore tell him you have no choice but to give him 2 months notice.

[Smowball]

I can’t do that now tho can I? Don’t i have to wait till 2 months before the end of the tenancy?x

[nicebloke1]

You said in your previous post ( you have the option to give 2 months notice?)

[Baldric]

https://www.landlordhelpandadviceuk.com/

[Smowball]

Yes the agreement said various options to renew - 1 year, 6 months, one months notice, 2 months..... in other words we can serve notice after 4 months. But if we go to court it’s just going to drag on anyway isn’t it..... and will cost too.

[Baldric]

Sorry meant to add 0800 133 7516 to my link.

[hc4361]

Make it very clear to him that if he does not stop obstructing the sale you will not be renewing his lease in 6 months and will give him proper notice in 4 months.

[Smowball]

Am ringing agent now.....

[woofgang]

If he is hoping that a new owner will allow him to stay he's not going about it the right way.....

[Peter Pedant]

you have no grounds for breaking the 6 mo extension
so you are going to have to wait 4 months and then go down the s 21 route

House market is pretty slow to be honest ....