Council tells landlords not to evict anti-social tenants or those with arrears

Council tells landlords not to evict anti-social tenants or those with arrears

9:44 AM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago 23

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A council has launched a campaign to prevent homelessness in its area – and it says tenants with arrears or who cause anti-social behaviour shouldn’t be evicted.

Torbay council is appealing to landlords and tenants to get in touch with them for assistance and advice if they face any difficulties with their tenancy.

The campaign aims to help tenants who may be at risk of losing their home due to rent arrears, anti-social behaviour or other issues.

The council says its housing officers can provide guidance on legal rights, benefits, budgeting and mediation with landlords.

‘We have seen a rise in homelessness and temporary accommodation’

The council’s cabinet member for adult and community services, Councillor Hayley Tranter, said: “We have seen a rise in homelessness and temporary accommodation in the past few weeks, and we want to prevent this as much as possible.

“Our message is clear: save the tenancy, don’t serve notice.”

She added: “Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, we are here to help you resolve any issues and maintain a stable and secure housing situation.”

Landlords who may have trouble finding or keeping tenants

The campaign will also support landlords who may have trouble finding or keeping tenants for their properties.

To help landlords, the council is highlighting its tenancy matching scheme that connects landlords with ‘tenancy ready’ renters who have passed affordability and suitability checks.

The scheme also provides deposit and rent in advance, ongoing support and a six-month review for each tenancy.

Private sector development officer can assist

Torbay also says that its private sector development officer can assist with various services, such as:

  • Tenancy rescue service: Advice for landlords and tenants, up to date information on legislation, links and partnerships with DWP, direct contact details via phone and email, and tenancy sustainment
  • Tenant ready service: Affordability and suitability assessments, previous landlord references, local housing allowance payments to landlords, budgeting advice, tenant and landlord guides, accompanied viewings, tenant matching, and one to one meetings with landlords, agents, and tenants.

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john thompson

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12:09 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

So as per usual, councils and government departments condoning bad and criminal behaviour whilst making law abiding workers, small businesses and tax payers to foot the bill and put up with all the bulls##t.

Or are Torbay council actually going to pay for any rent arrears and/or vandalism and sort out all the problems the tenants cause? Of course there not!...No wonder the country's going down the shi##er with these useless woke morons in charge.

Why should anyone who breaks the law be let off Scott free?..as said... they don't deserve decent homes..Sort yourself and your lousy attitude out or good riddence rotting on the streets.

Tom McGrath

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12:38 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

The headline "Council tells landlords..." is actually misleading when the story goes on to say that the council "is appealing for landlords to get in touch." The council has no power to keep non-paying tenants in properties, but seems to be asking landlords to liaise with them to prevent evictions, surely a good thing.
I let properties to tenants found by Manchester City Council. There is a bond of up to four months rent where the council guarantees to cover any arrears or damage. It works well.

TheMaluka

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12:47 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Tom McGrath at 26/01/2024 - 12:38
It works well until the arrears are more than four months and then the problem reverts to the landlord. Been there, done that, got the T shirt, never again.

john thompson

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12:58 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 26/01/2024 - 12:47
Anyone who trusts any council or the government is a gullible fool, I've been on this planet long enough to show plenty of scars.

Michael Booth

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13:19 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

Any tenant in arrears of rent or committed anti social behaviour are evicted no excuses for if what so every why should a landlord or neighbours suffer for some one else's behaviour period ,

Mark Simpson

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13:21 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

The local council "helped" me with a non payer.. they had to pay £11 a month with the promise of get the rest when the tenancy ended.
Meanwhile the tenants enjoyed a luxurious white wedding.
The tenancy ended and the council didn't want to know.

Paul Essex

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14:37 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

There is a real worry here though, post Section 21, ASB will need to be evidenced. The council has the responsibility to collect much of the required evidence (such as noise disturbance) I fear that they won't be making too much effort in future as they will have to sort out the consequences.

Tina Coates

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20:29 PM, 26th January 2024, About 10 months ago

I wouldn’t trust any council with anything they say. I wouldn’t even consider listening to their lies. I will never be social housing or help the council. They don’t help me when I’m renovating a property to get a EPC C. I got charged full council tax.

Paddy O'Dawes

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8:32 AM, 27th January 2024, About 10 months ago

Seems that Torbay are clearly stating they give legal advice. Anyone in the legal profession want to comment on if this opens the door to take direct action against the council? If a solicitor gave advice and didn't advise on liabilities (as I suspect the council dont) then I would have recourse.

Jessie Jones

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8:36 AM, 27th January 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Tom McGrath at 26/01/2024 - 12:38
It certainly sound like a good thing. In practice, what happens is that some councils' first approach is to look through all the tenant's paperwork for any minor error that the landlord might have made, so that they can advise the tenant to refute the eviction on a technicality. Like maybe the How to Rent guide was the previous edition, or the plumber was a day late doing his Gas Safe certification.
And good luck if you ever need to claim against the bond. You may find in the small print that the bond was only valid for the first 12 months of occupation, or that the Council regard smashed internal doors, smoke damage, urine soaked floorboards as all 'fair wear and tear'. Councils have no money to compensate landlords for taking on bad tenants. What they do have is a large workforce who they can't make redundant for fear of strikes and the bins not being emptied. That's why Selective Licensing has been brought in; to employ the oddballs that no other dept within the council wants, but they can't lay off, and can be self funded at the expense of landlords/tenants.

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