Do I have options?

WhenIam64

I was in the house for quite a few months while we were sorting out a new tenancy, so I was the occupant of the house and owed the rent. I became responsible for how it was left during that time. A lot of people suggested simply leaving the possessions there and letting the council deal with it, but the letters were very clear about fines for left items. I called a housing officer asking for advice and they confirmed I'd have been fined.

Was your name on the tenancy agreement?

Again there is the issue of what you think you were liable for and what you were actually liable for in law. The letters from the council appear to misrepresent the situation as you appear to have had no right to be there but were being reasonable and pragmatic about winding down the tenancy/belongings. The suggestion is to tap into the same pragmatism with the council.

Have a word with your local housing charity about where liabilities lie as they may be able to add weight to any negotiations with the council. You've been very accommodating to the council whose housing people would have had to use contractors to do the work you did.