PLEASE HELP!
I am at the end of my tether with our tenant who immediately stopped paying rent at the first lockdown some 10months ago. Since then we have done the being flexible, tried to agree a payment plan, approach tenants guarantor, eventually gave a section 21 notice in June with just over 3 months notice (as this was before the 6months rule). He paid a sporadic bit of rent around the date he should have left the flat but then didn’t leave. We completed an N5b form.
He was still in arrears anyway but since then we have had absolutely no rent, daily complaints given to the building management company of drug dealing, noise, he has moved a girlfriend into the property, without permission from us obviously. Bin bags being left in communal areas, cat litter in the corridor when no pets are permitted in the building. Tenant has appealed and we have ask for the case to be put before a judge. but now have received a letter from the court saying:
A claim brought on/after 6th august (?? section21 given in june) and because there is no proof of what knowledge we have of the effect covid has had on our tenant and their dependant’s they will not refer our case to a judge until we comply.
I DON’T UNDERSTAND??? I really don’t know what this means? comply with what? i don’t know what we are supposed to do? he completely lies about what his situation is, first he says he’s self employed, then he says he has been made redundant??? The government have made provisions with universal credit but yet he still does not pay rent, his guarantor also refuses to pay and denys any responsibility. How can i get this man out? how long do I have to put up with essentially a stranger living off me for free! There is no clear help or advise on the government websites, the court will not answer the phone, i’m so scared I am going to have to start the whole process from the beginning I just don’t know what to do?