UK Landlord Forum / Life

Dear all,

please, I need an expert advice.

Situation is as follows:
- I'm the landlord of a lovely flat in Brentford;
- my tenant is on benefits and has the monthly rental fee paid partially by the Council;
- in the last 18 months my tenant didn't pay her bit and her arrears grew every month;
- I've started the eviction procedure and my tenant is going to have the visit of the bailiff next Wednesday 21-Feb-2018;
- yesterday someone from the Council called me and asked to find an arrangement in order to stop the eviction and let my tenant to remain in my flat;

Now, I have to send the Council an email with my requirements for the arrangement. PLEASE, help me with advices.

Can I ask to have the rental contract with the Council and no more with the tenant?
or
Can I ask the Council to become the guarantor of the rental contract?


I'd really appreciate any advice as I don't know much about how the Council works.

Many Thanks

I don't know.  They are the ones prepared to make an offer.  Tell them you're all ears as to what they propose, if you don't like it refuse and evict.  I'd evict anyway, they obviously can't afford to be in your place going forward.

Absolutely. Put the ball into the Council's court - they're the ones wanting something from you.

I would demand they pay all of the arrears that have mounted up to date, plus any reasonable costs you may have incurred... then that all future monies are directly paid to you, as the Tenant has proven they cannot effectively manage their personal finances... plus ask the Council to subsidise the top-up as well... you never know, right? They are contacting you so push the boundaries and let us know what transpires. I wouldn't want the AST to be with the Council directly - that might come under a company let (it can't be anything else, can it?) and therefore be a non-Housing Acts agreement. I would just be interested in a low-stress life where the money you are due is paid without fail. Otherwise, get rid and don't blink.

Many thanks. I'll let you know more in the next days 

Hello all,

what happend is:

- I asked Hounslow Housing the payment of all the arrears and that in future Hounslow Housing is the guarantor of the rent fee as long as the tenant is in....They never replied.
- The tenant had the visit of the bailiff and left on 21-Feb-2018.

Thanks all or your help!