Can't contact landlord

[Mychitchatdays]

I have been renting a flat for over 8 years. I have now purchased my home and trying to give notice that I will be leaving.
I can't get in contact with my landlord to let them know. They have done nothing to the property in that time and the contact details I have are no longer valid. Calls ring out and emails bounce back. I don't want to pay anymore money to them.

I am in Scotland and I'm not sure what else to do.

Electoral roll? 192? Land registry?

check the land registry.
google their name and loock up their name on facebook.
were they in scotland before losing contact?

@Blueuggboots

Electoral roll? 192? Land registry?

I've tried the details that come up on them too. The email is the same one I have. The phone number is no longer connected.

Stop paying and see if they contact you.

Keep proof that you tried to give notice, move out and stop paying!

See how quickly they contact you.

Is it possible they have died or become unwell?

Is there a deposit? If so claim that back when you leave. Again that will flush them out. Also check wills on line in case there has been a bereavement. If you do leave without being able to contact them leave it clean and tidy and take pictures.

Are you using the contact details in your contract, where it says to send notices to? It's usually an address, in my experience.

I'd send a tracked letter, if it is. If it's the email address you've already used, keep proof that you attempted to give them them the required notice.

I think as long as you persue all avenues i,e email phone letter etc and keep proof that you have sent them your notice to quit then I see no reason they can come after you once you have left. Just make sure you pay during the notice period. Do you have a deposit in a scheme. They may have the landlords details.

Can you send a message via the Bank? I can't remember how it happened but DH had a message from his Old Boys Association who he paying via Standing Order .

Sounds like you have tried various things but I bet if you stopped the next payment, they will get in touch in a flash! Keep records of your endeavours to contact them. Is there a letting agent involved?

Your contract should have an address in there somewhere to send a recorded delivery letter. Failing that log in to your deposit scheme there might be some more contact details there. Register with land registry contact details should be there and charge this back to the landlord

How do you pay your rent?
Can you write to the bank referencing the account number?
If you stop paying rent you will probably hear from the LL very quickly.
Is there a managing agent?

* Stop paying and see if they contact you.*

^This. They will soon be in touch.

Unfortunately, it's too late to stop the next payment and I want that to be the last.
They haven't completed any of the legal requirements of the flat the full time of my tenancy either. It's only recently that I discovered they were supposed to do electricity tests yearly.

Deposit issue. Where is it? Huge penalties for landlord if not in a scheme.....

@bookh

Deposit issue. Where is it? Huge penalties for landlord if not in a scheme.....

The deposit is definitely in a scheme I remember getting the paperwork for it a few months after moving in, but a few years ago my neighbours washing machine leaked and my paperwork drawer was completely soaked. Is there a way I can find out where it is?

I think there are only three in Scotland.

Letting protection service Scotland

Safe deposits Scotland

My deposits Scotland

So shouldn't be hard to enquire with each.

Give notice to the addresses you have - send recorded delivery if it's a post address. Once your notice period is up then stop - if they come after you you'll have proof of sending plus if you email that'll be in your sent box.

Send a recorded letter to the address you have and keep a record of this. Then when your notice period is up, stop payments and contact the deposit service to get the money back. They should have details for him and will tell him you are asking for it back. That should prompt some action.

I think if he doesn't respond within 28 days you get it back by default?

I agree with endoftheline, write via the bank your rent goes to. Cancel your future payments.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/renting-a-home-s/starting-a-tenancy/problems-with-fees-and-deposits/
Also other stuff about ending a tenancy.

I lost a long reply, but others have made similar points.
Do any of your neighbours rent from the same person, would they have more recent contact details.
Make sure you keep details of recorded delivery failure and email bounce back messages.
If the flat is in a block is there a managing agent who maintain the grounds or the building? If so, they would have a contact address as they will send te LL the Service Charge annually. Similarly, is there a Leaseholder on the Land Registry document - they will be sending out the Ground Rent documents.
The other quandry you have is where to send the keys?
Regardless if you make contact or not, make sure you have good, dated photos when you leave, so there can be no dispute about condition.

@Mychitchatdays
Have you tracked the LL down yet OP?

In Scotland every landlord must be registered. Try here by inputting property address
www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/search