A few months ago the letting agent I was letting my flat through moved in a new tenant without my knowledge, took her deposit and months rent without passing it on to me (in addition to rent from the previous tenant which was not passed on) and went into liquidation. I'm not holding out much hope of seeing any of that.
I am now dealing with the tenant directly and I am having trouble with her. The first month she did pay the rent in full, although not on time. The next month I had to chase up for the rent and got some spurious story about her having problems with the DSS due to the letting agent going bust and that they were withholding her housing benefit. She paid some rent, £150 short and promised to pay the balance the next week. She didn't. I reminded her and she promised to pay the next week. Again, she hasn't settled the balance. I know it is only £150 so far, but the early indications are this will get worse. She has also replaced the lock on my garage without permission and when I had a key which I could have sent her - and sent me the bill!!
In short, I want her out of the flat. She has been in there for three months. From what I have read, to start eviction proceedings on the basis of rent arrears, she needs to be at least 2 months in arrears. To give her notice, she has to have been in the property for a minimum of 6 months. Is this correct? Are my only options to wait until either she is 2 months in arrears or has been in there for 6 months and give her notice, or do I have other options to reclaim my property?
I am now dealing with the tenant directly and I am having trouble with her. The first month she did pay the rent in full, although not on time. The next month I had to chase up for the rent and got some spurious story about her having problems with the DSS due to the letting agent going bust and that they were withholding her housing benefit. She paid some rent, £150 short and promised to pay the balance the next week. She didn't. I reminded her and she promised to pay the next week. Again, she hasn't settled the balance. I know it is only £150 so far, but the early indications are this will get worse. She has also replaced the lock on my garage without permission and when I had a key which I could have sent her - and sent me the bill!!
In short, I want her out of the flat. She has been in there for three months. From what I have read, to start eviction proceedings on the basis of rent arrears, she needs to be at least 2 months in arrears. To give her notice, she has to have been in the property for a minimum of 6 months. Is this correct? Are my only options to wait until either she is 2 months in arrears or has been in there for 6 months and give her notice, or do I have other options to reclaim my property?