Can I still evict a tenant with rent arrears despite council intervention?

Hi, I am evicting a tenant who has been verbally abusive and threatening, and generally uncooperative. His rent is £795 pcm, and the arrears are £1,756.94.

He is not the worst tenant I have ever had and the arrears are not the worst either. But he is getting to be a problem that I do not need – and Renters Rights Bill could well make it effectively impossible to evict.

I got a phone call from the tenant’s brother saying ‘he’s had mental health issues – he will be homeless and on the street’. Well, he was pretty much homeless when I agreed to take him as a tenant, and that’s the thanks I get.

If there is a funny side, it is that he sends texts to the Letting Agent’s landline. The landline then phones the recipient and reads out the texts – if you have ever received one of these you will know that it sounds like a robot speaking (which I suppose it is) – and funny rather than threatening.

Anyway, he has been to the council and they have offered to pay off the arrears if I will reconsider. (No chance.)

Does anyone know if this offer disqualifies me from using Section 8 to evict on the grounds of rent arrears?

Thanks,

Smithy