Hello
I am not a landlord (yet) but I am helping an elderly relative who has rented out 3 houses for a number of years. I got involved after a series of poor tenant management issues, the most recent of which was a tenant absconding with 4 months rent arrears. My relative is not up to date with tenancy issues and I have had a difficult time trying to convince her of the need to follow strict tenancy management procedures in order to reduce risk to rental income. 2 problems:-
1) The abscondee and his spouse have not left a forwarding address but I know the address of his mother in law. If We pursue a legal remedy, would a judge accept papers served to an address where the defendant does not live? (He lived there before he moved into our house).
2) My elderly relative has allowed a new tenant to move into the house without signing a tenancy agreement or paying the full asking deposit. I suggested £500 plus one weeks rent in hand. The new tenant took advantage of my relatives generous nature and did not bring the full deposit, but just short, citing that she could not access enough money as her bank is in another town.My elderly relative is very trusting and gives the benefit of the doubt very easily.
The property is in England, the tenant moved in last week and the prepared tenancy agreement (not signed yet) details the deposit amount, the weekly rent and that the tenancy is AST for 1 year from the date the tenant moved in. My relative expected the tenant to visit and bring the rest of the money but she did not turn up. My relative is intending to visit the property to sort this out with the tenant this week.
I am at my wits end that my elderly relative keeps trusting total strangers and undermines my efforts to help her manage her properly. Just for info' my elderly relative does not lack capacity, so a power of attorney is not appropriate. She inherited the properties c 20 years ago and has managed them badly for all of that time although she keeps on top of all repairs / servicing, so is a good landlady in that respect.
Sorry this is a long post.
Any advice please?
I am not a landlord (yet) but I am helping an elderly relative who has rented out 3 houses for a number of years. I got involved after a series of poor tenant management issues, the most recent of which was a tenant absconding with 4 months rent arrears. My relative is not up to date with tenancy issues and I have had a difficult time trying to convince her of the need to follow strict tenancy management procedures in order to reduce risk to rental income. 2 problems:-
1) The abscondee and his spouse have not left a forwarding address but I know the address of his mother in law. If We pursue a legal remedy, would a judge accept papers served to an address where the defendant does not live? (He lived there before he moved into our house).
2) My elderly relative has allowed a new tenant to move into the house without signing a tenancy agreement or paying the full asking deposit. I suggested £500 plus one weeks rent in hand. The new tenant took advantage of my relatives generous nature and did not bring the full deposit, but just short, citing that she could not access enough money as her bank is in another town.My elderly relative is very trusting and gives the benefit of the doubt very easily.
The property is in England, the tenant moved in last week and the prepared tenancy agreement (not signed yet) details the deposit amount, the weekly rent and that the tenancy is AST for 1 year from the date the tenant moved in. My relative expected the tenant to visit and bring the rest of the money but she did not turn up. My relative is intending to visit the property to sort this out with the tenant this week.
I am at my wits end that my elderly relative keeps trusting total strangers and undermines my efforts to help her manage her properly. Just for info' my elderly relative does not lack capacity, so a power of attorney is not appropriate. She inherited the properties c 20 years ago and has managed them badly for all of that time although she keeps on top of all repairs / servicing, so is a good landlady in that respect.
Sorry this is a long post.
Any advice please?
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