Tenants have absconded

[Troubleandstrifebagforlife]

We are totally useless landlords
Inherited a small flat 5 years ago which we have paid a letting agent to manage including a guaranteed rent scheme.
The tenants have reportedly vanished
The flat is in quite a grim state dirty door pulled of kitchen cupboard etc
Tenants have taken keys with them
I’m due to meet the agent there this morning not really sure how liable they are?
Feel we have been pretty naive really as gave all control to agent and now unclear what our rights if any are?
For what it’s wirth we have been ok landlords from a maintainable point of view I think what ever problems they have had we always authorised them to be put right straightaway new bathroom new fridge humidifiers etc
Just wondering what position I should take with agent
Plus the place is currently uninhabitable in my opinion so a huge bill I guess for a refurb is on the way
Any landlordly advice would be appreciated
I want to sell but my husband is adamant we keep it even though he’s the one who’s reall allowed the agents free reign
I haven’t been involved until now when all the problems are flagging up

Firstly, the agent can't control absconding tenants but during inspections, they should have noted that the flat was in a grim state. Unless this has happened quite recently.

You will need of course to retain the deposit and the tenant will be liable for the costs of changing the locks.

When was the last inspection and did you get pictures of the interior?

They have inspected but the pictures don’t really show how dirty the place is
I’m really slightly in the dark because everything has gone to my husband and I think he’s busy at work and hasn’t really registered the deterioration
Time to get the marigolds out I guess !!!

Look on the bright side. At least they've not stopped paying rent and you have to go to the expense and lose the time having to evict them.

I don't think the agents have been at fault, unless they haven't been inspecting correctly. Presumably you keep the deposit, put things right and chalk it up to experience.

Emotionally detach and treat it like the business it is. The cost of repair, whilst annoying, is just a business expense to be deducted from your profit.

Yes thankyou a bit of perspective is very helpful

I would ask the agent about the standard of cleanliness and if they had instructed the tenants to get on top of it at all.

It sounds rather as though they hadn't said anything to them...and if they HAD said something and that had gone unheeded, then they needed to DO something about it.

whats the guaranteed rent scheme? Does that not cover the rent where the tenant is not paying? (although probably not cover the repairs etc)

Thanks for all your replies
The agents are arranging a professional clean repairs to broken cupboards etc which will be taken out of the deposit
We will redecorate and replace flooring so all in all not as terrible as we thought

How do they know they've absconded if they still have the keys and rent has been paid? Or did they stop paying, and if so when? If the rents paid, they have the right to that flat surely, even if they're away right now?

you need too be really sure they have gone - ask the agent for the procedure, including lock chang e. be careful.

you can claim on the deposit. get a shift on.

They left a few weeks ago we have an insurance with the agents that guarantees the rent so they have paid it
I also met a neighbour who told me they’d both taken new jobs somewhere in the north and had rented something much bigger for half the money
She knew all the details