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[DPT57]

Suspect rent to rent

[DPT57]

As jpkeates implied, you could be in breach of contract to do that if their tenancy agreement offers something different. This may not make a difference if the tenant doesnt make an issue of it, but if they do you would need to think again

[DPT57]

Exactly. Write formally to the tenants. If they dont stop get a solicitor to send them a letter....

[DPT57]

If the property is fully converted into self contained flats then there should be a freehold for the whole property and individual leases for each flat. If there are not then you would need to spend significant sums to create leases for each flat if you ever want to sell them individually. Where this...

[DPT57]

If the property is primarily serving one college then check with the Student Union whether there is an alternative. When I used to let to students, the college webpage for accommodation closed one day and was replaced by a Facebook group which I assume was administered by some of the students.

[DPT57]

In that case maybe just focus on the deposit claim. That's hard enough!

[DPT57]

You could ask the other tenants for copies of their contracts. Its in their interest as if you're successful in your claim, they could make one too....

[DPT57]

I've allowed this with a good tenant before. I know it created a new periodic tenancy, but frankly I would have been happy for him to stay long term, so it didn't matter to me....

[DPT57]

As jpkeates says, contact them in writing to tell them that you accept their surrender of the tenancy which is now at and end. Don't ask them to sign a surrender document as that could be used against you to show that you didn't believe the tenancy had ended....

[DPT57]

Councils sometimes publish a register of licensed HMOs on their website. Its worth a look as in addition to the 3x deposit that you may be able to claim, you might also get a Rent Repayment Order for up to 12 months rent refund if they don't have a licence....

[DPT57]

As the tenant has returned the keys to the agent, I think its reasonably safe to assume an implied surrender. What does you tenancy agreement say about how long you will keep goods before disposing of them? Mine says 14 days. I would write to the tenant and tell them that you will dispose of their things...

[DPT57]

Might a landlord argue that "the last day of the 6th month of the tenancy" is 30 June? I guess a court is likely to favour the interpretation most favourable to the tenant though....

[DPT57]

I think that conflating the two issues is going to work against you. I suggest you pick the one that's most important to you and pursue that as above....

[DPT57]

Report the matter to the Environmental Health Officer at the Council and also to the HMO team in the housing department, (I assume that this is an HMO). Let them know that you reported the matter in October and nothing has been done....

[DPT57]

I suspect that there are very few lenders still precluding tenants on benefits so I suspect that the Agent is lying. However, I doubt an outright challenge would be helpful to her cause.

[DPT57]

Agree with this completely....

[DPT57]

As I said, I think it would probably have to be persistent for a tenant to have any chance of a harassment claim. However, the 1977 Protection from Eviction Act defines harassment as including:

(a) he does acts likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupier or...

[DPT57]

If he did get a test and was positive, how would it help you? Just behave now as though he is infected....

[DPT57]

A deposit of 5 weeks rent is not the limit of the tenants liability. If their dog causes damage beyond that value then they have to pay it and you sue them if they don't. The issue isn't really the amount of your deposit its the quality of your check-in inventory.

[DPT57]

Yes, not something I'd thought of, or would normally consider, but it does sound like it might be the best option