Urgent help needed - Housemate not paid our council tax

pmlindyloo

purpleroseofcairo wrote: »

Its a 12 month tenancy. We're about 8 months in I think. The other two housemates gave notice to quit. I'm quite happy staying where I am so we've just advertised the rooms for new tenants to move in take over the tenancy from those two housemates. The landlord is aware of all of that.

I'm not sure how the new people are paying the deposits - whether that's to the landlord or to the exiting housemates. I do know that my deposit is safe - at least until I decide to move out I suppose.

This is not necessarily true which is why I mentioned it.

The deposit will have been put into the name of the lead tenant (which doesn't appear to be you).

Read this:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/private_renting_agreements/joint_tenancies

I do think it is a good idea to let your landlord know about all the problems if you cannot come to some agreement.

purpleroseofcairo

Thank you. Am actually visiting family atm, so haven't been able to speak to my housemate face to face yet - just via email and text - so if the situation is the same next week, I think I will have to speak to the landlord.

CIS

I would echo what has been said before - on the basis of a standard joint tenancy you're going to be jointly responsible for the outstanding balance.

Usually what I would recommend is that you speak with the council and they can choose to pursue the other occupant first - in cases where I have seen proof of similar situations I have done so. The problem with this is that they are moving abroad, so it looks like you'll be the one who gets lumped with the remaining balance.

On the plus side - this account will need to be closed on the vacation of the other occupant (and a new account opened) so it will limit the amount on this particular account which is subject to any enforcement action.