Council Tenant

cococoladebt

Problem with a tenant. How should I deal with it.

I have a tenant who receives benefits, the tenant moved in January and the rent was always received on time until now.

The tenant is 6 weeks in arrears, I don't think she is living in the property as I received a couple of calls from utility companies asking me to confirm whether or not I sent them a fax stating the tenant moved out in October. This was a big shock to me, as no fax was sent by me.
I’m looking to phone the council on Monday morning to inform them about arrears but was wondering whether or not to tell them about the utility calls.

Caz3121

Who is the tenancy agreement with? Is this your own tenant who happens to claim benefits or have you passed your property to the council for them to provide tenants?
If it is your tenant was the benefit being paid direct to you or to the tenant then passed to you by them?
If the tenant has not given proper notice (and it was not the end of the AST) they have breached their lease and would still be due rent and bills.
Not sure the council will be able to give you much assistance due to data protection
Sounds a bit like they have done a moonlight flit....one of the risks of being a landlord

cococoladebt

Thanks for your reply. The AST is between me and the tenant but there also is an agreement with the council for the rental deposit guarantee.
The tenant came through a third party who works with the council, and the tenant passes on the rent to me.
No notice has been given and the AST still stands.
What can I do in such a situation? I am guaranteed 1k but will most likely lose all the other money. It’s annoying because if notice was given, I could find another tenant. Also, isn’t it fraud for the tenant to send a fax to the utility company in my name stating the tenant no longer lives at the property?

Yorkie1

On the final point yes, it is potentially fraud, false accounting or similar type of offence.

cococoladebt

okay cool thanks

clutton_2

i would get round to the property immediatel and make sure all is well.... if heating has been left on high or taps running.... you'd best get it sorted sooner rather than later

cococoladebt

True, I should. But I'm not allowed in the property.

BitterAndTwisted

If you suspect that the heating may have been left off risking burst pipes, then any sensible person could view this as an emergency. I'd get round there asap in your position.

cococoladebt

You mean left on, then yes fair enough.

BitterAndTwisted

The heating being left on is much less of a risk than being left off in this weather. Landlords have a legal right to enter a tenant's home only in an emergency, so if you can justify entering because you fear the damage a burst pipe could do, I would use that reason/excuse if challenged.

LillythePink

Not to mention that you have received communication from the utility companies asking you to confirm that the tenant isn't there etc - that is grounds surely for you to go and check up on your property - ok, knock first, look in windows etc, maybe ask neighbours if they have seen the tenant, and then enter it.

It's not as if you're going to be nosey or checking up on them - anyway, they are in arrears, so surely you should have contacted them by now etc