By Dez Duran-Lamanilao
When a leasing agreement ends, both parties expect both sides to adhere to the terms of the contract. There are some things though, that may go beyond each party’s control that proprietors most often than not, end up having to deal with. They will seem petty things at first, but you would not want them hindering your life, not at anyone’s expense.
Image source: The Landlord Blog
Here we outline some of what property owners need to address when a tenant leaves your premises:
Old Tenants Mail
Old tenants using your address is admittedly troublesome for both the property owner and the new tenants. Since you cannot really throw away someone else’s mail, write “Return to Sender” (or the old tenant’s new address if you have been informed) to unwanted envelopes and packages. This will notify the mail carrier that the person they are sending the document(s) to no longer live in the given address.
If the problem involves many tenants, place a note on the door of your mailbox informing the courier that the persons on the list no longer live there. The final alternative is going to the USPS and informing them of your intention to stop all unwanted mails delivered to your address.
Old Tenants Debt
It is a different matter if the tenants get evicted. If they have outstanding balance with you, how can you collect the debt if they are no longer around? Firstly, decide whether it is worth your effort and time. There are court enforcement procedures that you need to follow but remember that there is no 100% guarantee that the debts may be collected. You can consider requesting for an attachment of earnings order (if the tenant has a regular job), a third party payment order, and a charging order, in which the court converts your County Court Judgment (CCJ) into a legal charge.
Old Tenants Personal Belongings
If the previous tenants left some valuables, consider making an itemized list and sending the list to your tenants via a registered mail (to serve as proof). Let the tenants know that you are giving them a deadline to claim the items. Otherwise, they will be disposed of. If the tenants owe you money, you can inform them that you will be deducting the value of the items from the debt. You do not want them running after you claiming that they have not been informed of the decision.
Tie up those loose ends and begin a productive partnership with your new tenants.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
