Please be kind, I'm so stressed over this.
We have been accidental landlords for 5 years. Bought before the crash, left in negative equity, needed to relocate but couldn't afford to sell so have been letting the house. It is managed by an agency.
The property is in a rough area, we have had a stream of non-paying, anti social tenants. The latest ones stopped paying rent after a couple of months. They're currently nearly £2k in arrears, although we received some housing benefit direct. Most recent inspection showed they've not taken care of the property. We're sick of it so are going to cut our losses and try to sell. Agency served them a section 21 at the end of 6 month contract. Due to their family situation (I believe there are vulnerable children, social services involvement etc), they are claiming they have no where to go so they didn't leave. Agency have gone down the accelerated eviction route. The court now want a hearing. Apparently this is because one of the party have submitted a defence (probably the wrong term) but the other hasn't. So we've got to go to court, my partner has to drop a day's pay to attend and I am so stressed.
I've read online of the possibility the court may allow them to stay if they pay their arrears due to exceptional circumstances. We just want them out but they won't go. They are so entitled, nothing is their fault, they claim the can't afford to heat the house so there's mould growing up the walls. Finances have stretched to pets though, despite a no pet clause.
Can you tell me if there's anything else we can do? The agency are going to conduct another inspection before the hearing and send all paperwork to head office to ensure its all accurate so there aren't any nasty surprises on that front. It all seems so unjust.
Thanks.
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Tenants won't move out- court hearing approaching
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FranTan · 12/05/2016 22:09
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