US citizen (in US) defaulting on my UK rental prpeprty

[jimmybond007]

Sounds odd but that's the case with our UK rental property. A US citizen has been delayed relocating over (visa/cant sell house issues). He's basically sourced our property too early. He's pad the last 2 months but is now having to 'raise finances' and he's 2 weeks late. So I'm wondering worse case scenario here. He's under the usual AST (tenancy agreement) and he's being chased by the rental agents but my guess is that as he's in the US he can just walk away. A UK citizen would have debt recovery agents all over them in due course and a CCJ potentially. But my worry is that he'll actually be left in no worse position if he just doesn't pay again. He has no UK bank account (he wires the money and so no UK footprint). So other than his integrity (and possibly pride hurt), I'm wondering whether anything can be added to his name in this country so it at least makes life difficult for him if he was to ever come to the UK. My guess is no but I hope I'm wrong The agents say to instruct lawyers but I think that would be pointless as recovery from the US would be VERY difficult to zero chance. Thanks for any guidance.

[atticus]

Ask him to agree that the tenancy is at an end so that he can save his money and you can re-let.

[jimmybond007]

Ask him to agree that the tenancy is at an end so that he can save his money and you can re-let.

Thanks. I realise that. Still, my question remains.

[atticus]

The agents say to instruct lawyers but I think that would be pointless as recovery from the US would be VERY difficult to zero chance.

I agree with you.

[jimmybond007]

I agree with you.

But would they have repercussions either now or if he ever came to UK? I'm trying to understand if there is any problems he might face if he did just disappear!

[atticus]

Your guess as stated in your first post was on the money.

Do yourself the favour of a cost/benefit analysis between (1) bringing things to an early close so that you can re-let at minimal cost/loss and (2) spending money trying to sue a US resident, and then hoping that one day you might find that he's slipped into the country.