Tenants might have up and left

I have an apartment let out. The rent has not been paid this month and it is usually paid on time. I have tried to contact the tenants to no avail, I have been able to contact them before easily enough. I live at the other end of the country, I'm afraid they might have just up and left.

What can I do to check if they have left or not. I suppose the only thing I can do is go there and find out, do they have to agree to me calling out, or can I just call to the door anytime (not to inspect, just to see if they are still there?).

Is it possible to phone the esb or bord gais to see if they are up to date on their payments or if they've done a runner? I'm just trying to find out what I can do now about this, as I wont be able to get to the property for a week or two.

Cheers

Send a letter - keep a copy for your records. Detail the attempts to arrange contact, specify a date and time you intend to call to the house. If they arent there I presume you can use your key - but im not entirely sure. You need their permission, but if they cant be contacted?? Local garda accompanying you as you go in might be of benefit, not sure if they are too busy for that sort of thing.

I would personally include a letter of eviction with the appointment letter, seeing as they are behind in the rent. You have to give them written notice to evict anyway, so if they are just ducking you, at least you have that covered.

Let us know how you got on.

hi how long have tenants been in apartment? what type of lease do you have with them. Could you ask a neighbor to call

Go to the property open the door walk in and check to see whats happening, the longer you leave it the more rent you lose. These days tenants are walking all over landlords floating around not paying rent ,leaving premises filthy ,not paying their bills. The problem is they know they can get away with it time and again and landlords can do nothing. i know this is a generalisation but i have experience and it happens alot.

theoptomist said:

Go to the property open the door walk in and check to see whats happening, the longer you leave it the more rent you lose.

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worst advice evar. LL is not able to regularly check on the property and has NO idea who may or may not be living there. Walking into someone else' home unannounced is not a good idea.

Can i also comment that your username does not reflect your attitude. lol

I think optimist advice was sound. I assume optimist meant knock on the door a few times...
Assuming Op has nobody managing the premises -rather unwise if Op lives hundreds of miles away - then OP has no option but to go down and gain access.

OP -you obviously left messages on their phones? leave anorher one ,stating you will be down at XYZ and must ,in view of nonpayment and lack of response - gain access.

Maybe they've done a bunk, or are just on holiday. Or are all dead in your apt.
You won't find out if you don't go there.
Wise to take a friend with you.

oldnick said:

I think optimist advice was sound. I assume optimist meant knock on the door a few times...
Assuming Op has nobody managing the premises -rather unwise if Op lives hundreds of miles away - then OP has no option but to go down and gain access.

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I didnt assume that - i read it the way it was posted - maybe you have more info then me on what he meant.

To the OP: The tenant may have simply changed their phone. I have a tenant thats phone is NEVER the same number twice in a row. I have to leave messages with other people to get passed on to him.

Be clear that you need to have an appointment to gain access to the property - just because you have the title/deeds does NOT give you the right to walk into the property at any time. Approach very carefully. The property being across the country and difficult for you to keep an eye on, is NOT an excuse to gain entry whenever you feel like it.

Assume the tenant is still there - and just not paying you the rent. You turn up unannounceed on a random day - unsure if the tenant has recieved your messages or not - and you walk in to your house. What are you going to do now? Confront him? Chuck all his belongings on the street? Close the door and walk away?

Take your time, plan ahead, think it through. There are always options, have you persued ALL of them first? It would be a good idea to make nice with a neighbour. They would probably be delighted to have your number in case there is something wrong with the property. Be aware you are opening yourself up for phone calls for every little infraction the neighbour can think of - "the bins arent put back today".

How about hiring a property company to manage the collection of rent for you?