Dear Guildy,
i have a tenant that has been deciding to move into my houseshare in Richmond , surrey. London borough making up his mind for 5 weeks. he came and saw place 4 times and was always undecided finally he gave me a holding fee and i started and paid for reference and credit checks but a few hours after commiting to take it he changed his mind and said he did not want to take out the tenancy and asked for his holding fee back. which i just ignored him for a few days as id had enough and wanted to focus on my other tasks with business. He has again changed his mind since and been on the phone to the housemate (my friend) saying he messed up as he was flustered. He seems like a decent bloke but he is a nuisance keep chopping and changing. as i just want to let the room in the house its been empty for 8 months and i need a tenant i still have his holding fee im considering giving him a chance but do you have any suggestions, steps i can take to help prevent me being messed about again. I would like to have him commit with 1 month in advance and the deposit but i believe im not allowed to do that and i still need to action another credit check and references which will have to be paid again. Any feedback appreciated.
1 Comment
Personally, if it were us and from what you describe, you might want to consider calling it a day with this one and find somebody else. This of course depends on market conditions and you say it’s been empty for a while.
However, if something were to go wrong 6/12 months into the tenancy, you would always be kicking yourself that you “knew this would happen” especially when possible signs are emerging at this early stage. You might be better reducing the rent to get more options than to to take this one just because they’re the only one.
At least loosing money whilst it’s empty, you have no possession notices to serve or court action. It’s much worse if the property is let and not paying rent! But, guess who knows with these things!
You’re in a good position at the moment because they withdrew (allowing you to retain the holding deposit if you wish).