Debt from Housing association

littleminx_2

I have just received a demand fro over £900 from the housing association I was with 4 yrs ago and don't have a clue why they are demanding money after all this time. Long story short we had a rather serious incident back In 2009 at this address and requested the HA move us out, which they said they could not do, even though we had police back up! Any how we decided to rent a house for a year or so and then bought our own home and the HA have written to me saying I owe money for clearing out the house and dealing with the vandalism that followed our departure!

Not sure why they are contacting me now after all this time, but really worried as don't have means to pay.

Depth_Charge

littleminx wrote: »

I have just received a demand fro over £900 from the housing association I was with 4 yrs ago and don't have a clue why they are demanding money after all this time. Long story short we had a rather serious incident back In 2009 at this address and requested the HA move us out, which they said they could not do, even though we had police back up! Any how we decided to rent a house for a year or so and then bought our own home and the HA have written to me saying I owe money for clearing out the house and dealing with the vandalism that followed our departure!

Not sure why they are contacting me now after all this time, but really worried as don't have means to pay.

Hi

With regard to notice and other charges on leaving a rented property there should be something in your old tenancy agreement with the HA.

No doubt they will quote this if need be, if appropriate of course.

The delay in contacting you may be due to locating where you are now at.

Have they fully itemised what they are claiming you owe them?

If it is eventually proved that you are liable they may still consider a part or full write off, if not then it is more than likely a non-priority debt from what you have put so far and you may be able to negotiate a amicable, affordable payment arrangement.

Just a guide given what you have put so far

Best Wishes

[Deleted User]

How can you responsible for vandalism, let alone vandalism that occurred after you had left :huh:

System

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

How can you responsible for vandalism, let alone vandalism that occurred after you had left :huh:

Because the house at that point had not been formally handed back to the HA and therefore still technically rented by the OP?

[Deleted User]

But you are not responsible for vandalism (unless caused by an occupant), even when you are resident in the property.

System

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

But you are not responsible for vandalism (unless caused by an occupant), even when you are resident in the property.

You are if you haven't ensured that the property is secured and the vandalism is internal.

[Deleted User]

The OP didn't mention leaving the property unsecured.

I take it OP, that the windows were all closed, and the doors locked, when you left?

WTFH

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

The OP didn't mention leaving the property unsecured.

I take it OP, that the windows were all closed, and the doors locked, when you left?

The OP also didn't go into any details about the vandalism, so perhaps arguing about it is rather pointless without knowing a few facts first?

[Deleted User]

The OP states the vandalism occurred followed our departure, so not whilst they were there.

System

They may have physically left but were they still the tenants?

[Deleted User]

Doesn't matter if they are still the tenants.

If I go to work in the morning, and come home in the evening, to find my flat has been vandalised by some passing stranger, I'm not liable for that.