Can I evict my tenants for paying rent late

Question

ok , new tenants moved in june 2008: first appointed rent payment was paid late and the reason was the bank did not pay it in to my account vi direct debit, now the 3rd month rent has not been paid into my account,. In the contract the rent is paid on the 9th of each month.

This month the 9th fell on a Saturday, but it's monday now andstill no rent in my account.

I have told them about this and feel I want to give them a written warning stating if any further late payments will lead to termination of the contract. Will I be able to keep the deposit as they have broken the terms in the contract. I am in United Kingdom. Any help will be great! oh the contract is a Assured shorthand tenancy

Answer 1

What does your lease agreement, written contract, say about late payment? That will dictate what the courts will allow you to do, including possibly keeping the deposit

Answer 2

You can begin the eviction process but if they pay the rent you will probably have to stop it (not really sure of the laws where you are though).  Where I am if you file for eviction 3 times and are paid, on the 4th filing you don't have to stop it even if you get paid - but not sure of your laws, you'll have to do some research.  Also, you don't have to accept partial payments (where I am) but if you do then you have to restart the eviction process (in one state near me, but not in another - it gets real confusing).

Also, are you charging them a late fee.  Be sure to do that and it'll cut down on the lates and even if they are a few days late you don't care since its worth it to you to get the late fee.