General (main property discussion here) - ilegal subletting

i rented a flat to a couple in sept. they have not paid rent since october 2nd.and with that rent he deducted 30% for repairs and replacement shower pump, without informing me they were needed. he agreed that he would split the bill and forward me the recipts etc-has he hell. he has not replied to my calls or emails. today i went to the property to meet him, and found he has sublet the flat to 3 people and has been bullying and agressive with the three females who are living in my flat. they have a number and email for him which are inevitably different to the ones he gave me. they are paying him 500 pounds per month more than the rent i agreed with him. they are unhappy with him as a "landord" but would like to continue living there. they seem decent people to me to me. any ideas as to what should i do? thanks, tony

Find him and deck him!

WOW! you have dropped on lucky there mate. Terminate his tenancy well he has done that for you by subletting.

You need to get all the occupants to sign a new lease ok, and you will collect the rent from them on a monthly basis.

Ring the ex tenant up and tell him what you have done and if he ever tries to contact the tenants you will have the police on him for fraud.

Tell him that you have now dropped the matter and he owes you nothing, reason been your not going to get anything out of him, so let him think he has got one over on you.

Change all the locks, give your new tenants a key and one for yourself, easy.

Next time do a full credit check on your tennats and if there not showing up on voters dont let to them, if they are showing up then ask for utility bills in there name at that address.

thanks guys much apprieciated-have spent morning seeking advice and the legals all state that i have to go through section 8 etc and WHATEVER i do i must NOT change the locks as that would make me vulnerable to being fined 1k and/or jail for three months....glad i pay my taxes to this wonderfull country.

what one of the landlord websites hinted at was this. the girls change the locks on him, -i "know nothing about the girls" and proceed to get him removed through the section 8 based on his none payment and breeches of contract regarding un authorised works and subsequent damage to the flat. meanwhile the girls withold their rent and i keep paying the mortgage and when he is evicted (even though he does not and never has lived at the address) from the property i set up new agreements with the girls... jeeezz. bizare how we are deemed automaticly be the bad guys in the eyes of the law, eh? will keep you informed...