Diary of events

Choices approached me and offered there letting service. Date 30/06/08.

I was assured there would be a full vetting and credit check. They did not do it themselves but by another company. I was also told on 16/9/08 that they no longer use this company at the Redhill branch. I was also told that Choices would be able to rent very quickly and achieve a rent of £675 per calendar month.

On 02/06/08 received a phone call from Choices claiming they have found a Tenant he was a 50 yr old man a Mr Barry Clark. Mr Clark was credit checked in January and has been looking for a flat since January due to unforeseen events two or three flats he had ok to fell through due to no fault of his Owen. The flat would be ideal because of the station being close by and a lot of his work was in London. Mr Clark asked if he could decorate the flat himself because he wanted to move in the following week. A date was set 03/06/08.That week Mr Clark mother died there would be a delay in moving in. Mr Clark took up tenancy on 16/06/08 rent at £675.

Received a letter dated 29/07/08 that Choices had not received the rent due on 16/07/08.That they would actively pursue the tenant.

Phoned Choices 31/07/08 spoke to Sheree Hudson Accounts Liaison Officer. Due to being on holiday a letter should have been sent four days after rent day but was not picked up by other staff till now.

Phoned Choices 01/08/08 spoke to Sheree .Sheree had contacted tenant by his mobile, he claimed to be in Birmingham and he tried to pay by card the card would not go through machine I was told there were certain cards that would not go through. The tenant offered to pay by check or he would pay by cash on Tuesday the 5th. The cash option was chosen.

05/08/08 the tenant did not show up. Choices were trying to contact tenant by his mobile it was ether switched of or answer phone.

16/08/08 went to Choices spoke to Alex. Alex had been to property tenant’s belongings were still there and living room had been decorated and flat was neat and tidy and it appeared that nobody had been there for a while. Alex would get in contact with employers and next of kin.

23/08/08 went to flat myself spoke to neighbor she had not seen tenant for about four weeks. Went to Choices spoke to Alex he said he had contacted Morrison’s the employer Pay Roll Officer who confirmed a Barry Clark does work for them and he received last month’s pay check but the Pay Roll No did not match the one the Tenant gave Choices. Alex had spoken to the reference check person he claimed not to have seen or heard of tenant for some time and was concerned for his well being. [Reference was a name and mobile number no land line or address was given.] Alex had written to next of kin because no phone number had been given. The reference phoned Choices’ to say he too could not contact tenant.

26/08/08 Council Tax Areas tenant had not informed them.

27/08/08 received phone call from Alex wanted permission to issue section 21 and 8.Went to office signed letter for consent. There had been no contact with tenant yet.

Received letter from Choices confirming Landlords notice date of issue 15/08/08.Spoke to Alex he would speak to Stephanie on 01/09/08 if she was in, he was at a loss as what to do never been in this position before.

01/09/08 phoned choices letting's on reply.

02/09/08 went to Choices office spoke to Alex he gave me some information about tenant works address next of kin address, name and date of birth of tenant. Went to flat with Alex flat in very good order. Letters on table appeared not to be opened at first glance letters had been opened and resealed one letter was put back in reverse and resealed. The letters were Landlords Notice. We left section 8 Notice on table and left lead of computer over corner of letter.

Spoke to P/ I there is no Mr Clark with the date of birth given. There is no Barry Clark attached to the address given.

05/09/08 phoned office to speak to Alex not in, did not return call.

06/09/08 phoned office spoke to Alex they are going to small claims court cost £80.He went back to flat the letter we left had been opened and resealed. The case is top of Stephanie pile. Alex on holiday 1 week.

12/09/08 phoned Choices twice to speak to management no reply.

13/09/08 phoned gas board tenant had not been in contact the account had been reversed back to my name gave detailers of tenant asked for date of birth and phone No gave tenants mobile No but no date of birth.

13/09/08 phoned three times to speak to somebody no return of call. One time held on line for 6 min told Eddy was on another line he would phone back no call.

15/09/08 Eddy phoned, Tenant had been in a serious road accident and paralyzed from neck down needs 24/7 care in a home. A Mr Appleton representing Morrison’s was going to clear flat 28/09/08 and put it in storage for him.

16/09/08 went to Choices spoke to Alex said just got back from holiday and had not seen the file yet, he confirmed what was said the day before and added that he was in a home in a Shropshire and the other car was stolen and personal stuff was stolen from Mr Clark. No address or number taken.

17/09/08 Alex phoned spoke to Morrison’s they have no Mr Appleton on their books. Choices can’t do no more and HOPE that the flat is cleared and keys returned on the 28th

18/09/08 went to flat myself at 7.20 saw a man of about 50yr come out of communal door [two flats] put rubbish in bin and get into a blue Peugeot 307 WA5NKER.Phoned Alex let him know what I have seen. He asked for a description he said it sounds like him.

19/09/08 repeat of previous day Eddy said he would go in early sat morning to speak to tenant.

20/09/08 went to Choices told Alex would be in and out all day, Eddy was also out told as soon as they were back they would contact me. Went back to office 2hr latter spoke to Eddy he confirmed he would meet me at flat 7.20 Monday. I gave him details of Mr Clark date of birth 23/07/50 his address 0074, Westleigh Avenue Coulsdon CR5 3PB . Car make and reg.

22/09/08 meets Eddy at flat Peugeot in car park. Eddy went to flat 7.30 no answer. Tenant comes around front of building out of site of Eddy to make it look like he was coming from different flat at 7.55. Eddy confronts him words were spoken for about 10 min .Tenant drives off. Eddy tells me that he has money problems and he will be out on 28 and settle up end of month. There was a miss understanding about accident. Eddy asked for a forwarding address gave the same address as on his reference.

23/09/08 spoke to Alex see what he thought of previous day and to tell him that tenants car was in car park at 10.Told him my concerns to my property when tenant leaves. He said there was no point seeing tenant because Eddy had said what was needed saying and he could add no more and wait till the 28th.

27/09/08 went to Westleigh Avenue about three. Tenant’s car was in drive and a Morrison’s van in road.

29/09/08 Alex phoned tenant is out all his belongings have gone keys left on table flat in good condition and rent able.

No proper id only a work badge and photo.

No passport, no driving licence, no bank details

Reference was only name and mobile

Next of kin claim they were not related

Tenant gave £1012.50 cash deposit

Choices taken £650 management fees for 4 months, fees 12% of rental value. Should be £78+ vat a month 4 x78 = £312 +vat £54.60 TOTAL £366.60. I was told none refundable.

What happens about utility bills and council tax

Loss of rent due to tenant leaving before contract finished. Cost of setting up with new agent?