Dispute with tenant and PRTB

[march]

Hello

Im looking for feedback on the PRTB please.

We are looking at the option of using them to claim back from a tenant who has gone underground and will not communicate with us at all.

A friend of hers phoned us a few days ago to tell us she is gone from our property but our tenant was seen by neighbours subsequently entering our property. We were given 2 days notice when the contract requires 56 days.

We still have her deposit but our property needs to be cleaned, carpets replaced, a bill left in our name has arrears and the other utilities are not paid up to date.

The friend has also been abusive and threatening to me on the phone when I asked for information.

My husband had to take two days off work this week to deal with this, so we have a loss of earnings on top of everything.

We know where our tenant works but not where she is now living.

On the advice of the gards we entered the premises yesterday and changed the locks. Some of her belongings are still in there we left a note on the door saying to call us to gain access.

We still have not heard from her.

Can anyone advise us on what to do next?

Has anyone had a similar situation with the tenant going underground, not leaving a forwarding address but you know where they are working?

We have had 2 days of hell and would appreciate advice, do we pursue through the PRTB now.

Thanks in advance

 

[elcato]

I would forget about her and get the place ready for let. You have a months rent still and you dont mention there was arrears so even if there is a shortfall it appears to be a lucky escape. Imagine the worst case scenario where there was few months arrears on top. You have changed the locks so access is not a problem. Regarding the carpets you would have to allow for wear and tear so put it down to experience. Cleaning is also needed between rentings so its fair to say that is not a major loss. Regarding the loss of earnings, this is a non-runner. You have to allow for the fact that if you dont employ someone to look after the day to day dealings with the property for you then that is at your expense. You are getting rent for the place and its your job to deal with this. From what I have heard from friends and reading in this forum you would be waiting a long time for the PTRB to even get around to dealing with this. In the meantime make sure you get pictures of the place and record all problems in case she decides to bring a case against you. Put the unpaid utility bill down to experience also as you should not have let this happen in the first place.
Good luck

 

[march]

Thanks for response Elacato.

It is a hard lesson to learn that tenants can be like this. We lulled ourselves into a false sense of security because we had no trouble from her in her first 2 years. This year we did not increase the rent at all.

It is a bitter pill to swallow as my husbands company closed down in July after 8 years and we have debts to pay there.

To have to pay someone elses on top of that is hard.

The PRTB waiting list as of today is 6 months but as we have a very small income at the moment and for the forseeable future and I know she is still employed in a state paid job I am going to pursue her through the courts.

It will make me feel better, totally ****ed off with people getting away with doing what they like. We are tenants ourselves so we can see both sides.