Finding the ex-tennant for MCOL

[rtid]

So after a long story, I had my ex-tennant evicted due to her being in arrears. I now have my property back, however the ex-tennant is, as expected, nowhere to be seen or found.

I would like to go down the MCOL route, however the only details I have of the tennant is her Full Name, DOB, phone number and email address. Are there any legitimate routes I can go down to see where she is living at the moment?

Also, assuming I manage to submit a MCOL request, does that affect her credit rating?

Any help is appreciated.

[Snorkerz]

You may apply to the court for permission to serve on the tenant at their last known address (tenancy address?). This is Civil Procedure Rule 6.15 and there may be a fee for such an application. You will need to tell the court what actions you have taken to find the tenant - If you engage a tracing service that can't find them, I guess that would be deemed sufficient. There are various tracing agencies - findermonkey charge £50 no find no fee.

Submitting a claim to MCOL will not affect her crdit rating. Obtaining a county court judgement (CCJ) will.

[Brb]

Is this the tenant that scarpered abroad and had over-paid the water bill or the benefits tenant ?

[rtid]

thanks guys. i will read into CCJ i think.

Brb, this is the benefits tennant. i called the housing benefits so see if they could help in anyway, they said all they can do is note her down in their own councils system and if she claims for benefits again at that council, they will pay rent direct to the landlord, instead of via herself.

however, if she goes to another council, there is nothing that can be done.

[Snorkerz]

If the tenant is on benefits you should sue, as it is not right that tenants think they can get away with it - it will serve as a warning to other landlords (and potential creditors) that this person does not pay what they should, when they should.

However, your chances of getting a worthwhile financial reward from a person on benefits is (shall we say) limited. Only you can decide if it is worth the cost and time/effort.

[rtid]

If the tenant is on benefits you should sue, as it is not right that tenants think they can get away with it - it will serve as a warning to other landlords (and potential creditors) that this person does not pay what they should, when they should.

However, your chances of getting a worthwhile financial reward from a person on benefits is (shall we say) limited. Only you can decide if it is worth the cost and time/effort.

sorry i should have added, for part of the arrears she was not claiming benefit as the housing asked her to confrim her income. she didn't so they stopped paying her benefits, in turn i had no rent. she then went back to the housing and confirmed her income (not backdated though) so i then got a months rent. after that month, the eviction notice came through. Its disappointing how a tennant on benefits can so easily get away with it.

she probably owes me around £4k in total. i'm not sure if a CCJ will get her to pay up, however if anything it will make me feel better and that i've tried.

[Snorkerz]

she probably owes me around £4k in total. i'm not sure if a CCJ will get her to pay up, however if anything it will make me feel better and that i've tried.

Perfectly valid attitude.

Expect the court to agre she repays at around £3 a week (depending on other commitments) so if you can keep tabs on her for the next 25 years you may get your money back.

[Brb]

I'm just sorry that you won't get your money as due, it's doubtful that she'll cough up now.

I always feel like I have to apologise for these pond dwellers (I've been on benefits and still get some LHA help). It's just wrong as someone that has privately rented the majority of my adult life I have never missed a payment nor lost a penny in deposit.

I imagine you will want to skip renting to benefit claimants in the future but if you do then please ask the knowledgeable bods here about a properly drafted guarantor agreement and other signs to look out for/checks to do.

[bertha]

fed up with tenants getting away with debt

Like you I have evicted a tenant none payment of rent ,damage and upsetting all the neighbours.It took a cleaning team 3 days to clear the mess and I mean mess out dirty cloths rubbish etc cat mess and much more.i got a court order and they took it to the last day left the windows open and keys on the floor.Moved into another property so must have found rent and bond fron somewhere running their own business.Would not answer court papers on ccj so I have paid a debt collection agency I will not have word going round I let them off.Is it cant pay or wont.Soap and water to leave a clean property costs nothing but it may have helped in accepting a debt that they cannot pay.If all landlords are expected just to accept the bad ones dont pay it is unfair to those many families who are hard up but try their best .one rotten apple spoils the barrel.