Advice needed, previous tenant damaged property.

[DNA guy]

Hi.
i am looking for advice on behalf of a good friend, he has rented out hes property to a so called friend who was in need of housing. Unfortunatly when he vacated the property he has left a fair bit of damaged to the house. Such as a sledge hammer holes in the wall!! And stolen property furniture. I was just wondering where my friend stands legaly here and what he could do? Unfortunatly he hasnt had any formal or any written contract with the tenant either, any advice would be much appreciated.

[atticus]

Your friend stands legally in the position of having the right to claim against this tenant for the damage and the value of the stolen property. Is he insured?

[DNA guy]

Wow thank you for the prompt advice, i am going to relay this to my friend and see how he wants to proceed, regarding insurance im sure he has it, but becouse the whole agreement was all very verbal and between friends it might have complications with him claiming through it? But i might be wrong about that as i never dealt with something like this before.
I really appreciate your input!!! Thank you.

[atticus]

Is there any doubt that the person in question (a) lived in your friend's house and (b) paid rent? I expect that those things can be very easily proved.