Hi - here's a summary of the problem :
We let a brand new fully furnished apt. 2 months ago. When the tenants moved in they had brand new furniture, washing machine, fridge installed. We supplied an inventory of plates, cutlery, toaster, microwave etc. all new. There was a delay of about 2 weeks for the dishwasher to be installed and they also asked for an array of extra stuff which we supplied e.g. toilet brush (?) and lampshades among other stuff. We got a bit concerned that there was a list of requests which seemed never ending (through the agency) but we supplied them anyway and they signed each inventory form.
They signed the lease and paid a month in advance and a deposit (equiv. to a month's rent). The following month the rent was paid approx. 11 days late and after several phonecalls between the agency and the tenants and several false promises that it would be paid but then wasn't. Not sure what the problem was but it seems that they weren't happy that the place was "ready". The alarm was also installed a few weeks after they moved in.
So this was not a good start and this month being the 2nd month I was watching v. closely to see when the rent would be paid. It's now 3 days late and I rang the tenant myself yesterday to which he replied he thought the banks were closed. I told him to lodge it this morning. (Incidentally the lease asks for a standing order not a manual lodgement every month). Rang him again this morning and he started giving me vague reasons for not paying e.g. "not happy with the agency" "he knows his rights" "he demands satisfaction" but would not give me any specifics. There is absolutely nothing they're being short-changed on (absolutely everything is brand new) so these seem like vague excuses. He also complained that he "had to clean the place himself" when he moved in - my husband personally had gone up and assembled all furniture, removed all packaging and hoovered etc. so it was not dirty by any stretch - probably just needed a once over as any new place would (with hindsight probably should have got a cleaner in).
Anyway long story short I'm reluctant to go through this fiasco every month as it seems these people are intent on starting a row over nothing so that they can live rent free for as long as possible.
What advice would anyone give ? I'm leaning towards issuing an eviction notice as soon as the rent is paid (late again) this month so that we can nip this in the bud before it drags on and we end up seriously out of pocket. Needless to say it's all above board and registered etc. I believe I can give them 28 days notice ? Or does it depend on the rent not being paid at all ?
Thanks !
M
We let a brand new fully furnished apt. 2 months ago. When the tenants moved in they had brand new furniture, washing machine, fridge installed. We supplied an inventory of plates, cutlery, toaster, microwave etc. all new. There was a delay of about 2 weeks for the dishwasher to be installed and they also asked for an array of extra stuff which we supplied e.g. toilet brush (?) and lampshades among other stuff. We got a bit concerned that there was a list of requests which seemed never ending (through the agency) but we supplied them anyway and they signed each inventory form.
They signed the lease and paid a month in advance and a deposit (equiv. to a month's rent). The following month the rent was paid approx. 11 days late and after several phonecalls between the agency and the tenants and several false promises that it would be paid but then wasn't. Not sure what the problem was but it seems that they weren't happy that the place was "ready". The alarm was also installed a few weeks after they moved in.
So this was not a good start and this month being the 2nd month I was watching v. closely to see when the rent would be paid. It's now 3 days late and I rang the tenant myself yesterday to which he replied he thought the banks were closed. I told him to lodge it this morning. (Incidentally the lease asks for a standing order not a manual lodgement every month). Rang him again this morning and he started giving me vague reasons for not paying e.g. "not happy with the agency" "he knows his rights" "he demands satisfaction" but would not give me any specifics. There is absolutely nothing they're being short-changed on (absolutely everything is brand new) so these seem like vague excuses. He also complained that he "had to clean the place himself" when he moved in - my husband personally had gone up and assembled all furniture, removed all packaging and hoovered etc. so it was not dirty by any stretch - probably just needed a once over as any new place would (with hindsight probably should have got a cleaner in).
Anyway long story short I'm reluctant to go through this fiasco every month as it seems these people are intent on starting a row over nothing so that they can live rent free for as long as possible.
What advice would anyone give ? I'm leaning towards issuing an eviction notice as soon as the rent is paid (late again) this month so that we can nip this in the bud before it drags on and we end up seriously out of pocket. Needless to say it's all above board and registered etc. I believe I can give them 28 days notice ? Or does it depend on the rent not being paid at all ?
Thanks !
M