Hi everyone,
Recently taken over management of our property business, 18 residential properties, rented mainly to DSS tenants. Previously with management agents, but am giving it a go myself now!
One tenant's AST started on 8th August 2016, and will end on 8th August 2017. She is required to pay top up of £7 a week, as the council pay the rest for her. Its come to light that she hasn't paid a top up since November 2016 (one of the reasons for taking back from management company!).
Over the past month or two we have given her chances to start paying top ups, and arrears. Last chance was that she would pay £20 a week, starting yesterday, however the payment never came. I called and she outright said she wouldnt/couldnt afford it, and she can pay 'some' in another two weeks time. I seriously want to nip this in the bud, and do not want to renew the tenancy when it is up for renewal this August.
How do you think I should go about this?
Should I serve the S.21 now?
Should I give a couple of weeks to pay the arrears and keep on top of top ups, and then serve the S.21 when its 2 months until the end of the contract?
I feel a bit harsh, but she has had numerous opportunities to pay, and when I visit her house she has a house full of new and nice items that I couldn't afford! So she just isn't prioritising rent, and isn't communicating with me - I don't have the time or resources to chase top ups like this. Her mother is in another one of our properties and was in huge arrears which she is now making progress towards paying off, and I don't want this tenant to go down the same route - I'd rather get her out, and find someone who can pay the rent.
Also, what happens when the end of the tenancy comes and if she doesn't move out?!
Any advice on when or how to serve the S.21 would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
Rebecca
Recently taken over management of our property business, 18 residential properties, rented mainly to DSS tenants. Previously with management agents, but am giving it a go myself now!
One tenant's AST started on 8th August 2016, and will end on 8th August 2017. She is required to pay top up of £7 a week, as the council pay the rest for her. Its come to light that she hasn't paid a top up since November 2016 (one of the reasons for taking back from management company!).
Over the past month or two we have given her chances to start paying top ups, and arrears. Last chance was that she would pay £20 a week, starting yesterday, however the payment never came. I called and she outright said she wouldnt/couldnt afford it, and she can pay 'some' in another two weeks time. I seriously want to nip this in the bud, and do not want to renew the tenancy when it is up for renewal this August.
How do you think I should go about this?
Should I serve the S.21 now?
Should I give a couple of weeks to pay the arrears and keep on top of top ups, and then serve the S.21 when its 2 months until the end of the contract?
I feel a bit harsh, but she has had numerous opportunities to pay, and when I visit her house she has a house full of new and nice items that I couldn't afford! So she just isn't prioritising rent, and isn't communicating with me - I don't have the time or resources to chase top ups like this. Her mother is in another one of our properties and was in huge arrears which she is now making progress towards paying off, and I don't want this tenant to go down the same route - I'd rather get her out, and find someone who can pay the rent.
Also, what happens when the end of the tenancy comes and if she doesn't move out?!
Any advice on when or how to serve the S.21 would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
Rebecca
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