Uninhabitable property duely repaired but tenant desserting.

Other

An internal sewerage pipe broke servicing the five flats above and leaked into a tenants kitchen. From the date of discovery of the problem to complete reinstatement of the flat it has taken 20 days. Obviously the flat has been uninhabitable for that time.

After about 14 days the tenant notified me she was not going to return to the premises because the work had taken longer the anticipated 10 or so days. I inspected the premises to discover she has "done a runner" and all her possession had been removed.

I told her that I required the contactual notice of one month. But now we are disagreeing about her deposit.

Irrespective of what losses my insurers will pay out. What is the position over my requirement for her to give a months notice. Is it a legitimate requirement?

ivr