Difficult Tenant.

[Smowball]

We are trying to sell one of the properties we own, but the tenant refuses to let anybody in. He doesn’t answer his phone, doesn’t respond to voicemails, and is proving impossible. I’ve spoken to the letting agent who collects the rent, does inspections etc and they say they have the same problem - it’s incredibly hard to get him to respond. The rare time they’ve managed to see him he just makes endless excuses as to he’s busy, kids were ill etc etc. He doesn’t work and is home all day so can’t use that as an excuse. I am never ever going to be able to sell it with him acting like this - is there any legal grounds to serve him notice at all?

[AuntLydia]

https://www.thetenantsvoice.co.uk/your_home/landlords-right-to-enter-a-property/

[spathiphyllum]

"Spath The Tenant can communicate directly with the landlord even if the property is managed by an agent. "




"The agent is ‘an agent’ of the landlord i.e. they are working on the landlord’s behalf, representing the landlord, but they never become the landlord in terms of responsibilities."

Tenants (if going through agents) should not directly contact the landlord as far as i'm aware. If you have information to suggest otherwise that'd be helpful.

https://www.thetenantsvoice.co.uk/advice_from_us/landlords-and-letting-agents-for-students/

[AuntLydia]

kval wrote: // and then attend and let yourself in if he is not there. Surely you can understand that?//

and potentially get arrested as it's illegal to enter the tenanted property without permission .

[AuntLydia]

How many Tenants have you spath? All my tenants go through me for minor repairs as its quicker than phoning the Agents. Its a choice not the Law and your link refers to student accomodation.

[kvalidir]

Perhaps I should clarify what I meant there AL. If you give 24 hours notice that you are attending a property for a safety check you have every right in the world to enter, but that isn't even what Smow is trying to do, she's merely trying to speak with the tenant, Spath muddied the waters with his post and everything has become garbled, so to reiterate I was proposing that they write to the tenant saying they are attending on such and such a date for a safety check, that will invariably get the tenant to contact the landlord or agent.

[spathiphyllum]

"you have every right in the world to enter"

False, you still need consent from the tenant.

[AuntLydia]

spath I've just read the whole link and it contradicts what you have posted -completely!
quote:
Even if the agent is the only person that you deal with, your contract will always be with the landlord. Look in your tenancy agreement and you will see that the name is the landlord’s. There should also be an address for the landlord in the contract, should you ever need to contact the landlord directly. The agent is ‘an agent’ of the landlord i.e. they are working on the landlord’s behalf, representing the landlord, but they never become the landlord in terms of responsibilities.

[AuntLydia]

kval you can give the tenant 24 hours notice go personally bang on the door knowing he is inside. The minute you unlock the door and enter uninvited you are breaking the Law. You should know that if you make a living renting. Its one of the basics of Tenants rights.

[spathiphyllum]

Thanks for clearing the air for smow AL.

[AuntLydia]

Spath i'm sure she will get back and thank everyone .

[spathiphyllum]

She can thank me for trying ;) Seems the info i've given is false.. and the info i've been told by estate agents in the past is also wrong. Shame on them. Thanks for being an eye opener.