more a wwyd first world problem, tenant related

[monkeysox]

We have rented out our former home on a six month lease. Paid Oct to start nothing on Nov. Dec paid 2 months. No Jan payment yet

It's a family. Do I serve notice to not continue after April? So not dripfeeing he works, rent is £750 pcm

I feel awful but we have bills to pay.

Use a different agent for sure. As a priority ask how they screen potential tenants, what financial detail they're getting. A good letting agent is worth their weight in gold, unfortunately too many are not that helpful. Don't let it put you off, our house has been let for most of past 5 years with the same agent and we've had one episode like this. It was awful. But once it's over you need to not expect it to be a regular thing.

TBH I would say out of 10 tenants, 7 are usually fine, 2 are so-so, and 1 is dodgy.

Agents could be a lot better at screening for serial offenders who don't fancy paying their rent regularly. If agencies were held financially liable for tenant shortcomings in the first six months or year, I bet they would make more effort.