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 3 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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Comments

Cider Drinker

8:29 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

This will not prevent homelessness.
It will however, help those that don’t deserve a home to take precedence over those that do.
This is also what Shelter do.
If we do not evict ‘bad’ tenants, where will those in temporary accommodation be housed?

Cider Drinker

8:33 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

As a landlord, I would never contact the council for anything relating to my PRIVATE tenants (the clue is in uppercase). As the article points out…

The campaign aims to help tenants…

Reluctant Landlord

8:40 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

I take this with a pinch of salt.

No mention of property damage - just rent arrears. Are they willing to pay for damage made by a tenant they offer as 'tenancy ready'?

They just want to elongate the process as long as possible by getting involved on the premise of 'liason and mediation' so they don't have to deal with such nightmares themselves I think.

I can't see how you can mitigate against ASBO issues as behaviour is down to the tenant no one else to comply.

Be interested to know if a LL does evict, are these tenants then flagged so they are not then put back on the same 'tenant ready' list.... how would a landlord know?

Unless the council turn round and say to ANY tenant in no uncertain terms you wont get housing at all if you are evicted due to arrears, damage and ASBO then this is meaningless. There is no deterrent as all the tenant sees is the council willing to throw money at the issue to keep them in the property no matter what happens.

Links and partnerships with the DWP?????

moneymanager

10:06 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

"Torbay Council tax payers tip the chief executive into the bay", serve him right.

TheMaluka

10:12 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

And I would urge Torbay council not to take anyone to court for Council Tax arrears - thought not.

Paul Essex

10:14 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Surely it's not 1st April yet?

Martin Roberts

10:16 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Landlords who may have trouble finding tenants.

I guarantee if I advertise a flat for rent I will get 100 applicants.

Beaver

10:35 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

"....tenants with arrears or who cause anti-social behaviour shouldn’t be evicted."

Clearly, tenants who don't pay and don't tell the landlord to let the landlord know why the rent is late should be evicted. And clearly landlords don't have the powers to deal with anti-social behaviour; that's for the council and the police to deal with.

David100

11:28 AM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Why on earth would you get involved with councils? Trust between landlords and councils is at an all time low. Advise councils that when they stop telling tenants not to move out or rental properties until they are physically evicted, then we can talk..

Beaver

12:00 PM, 26th January 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by David100 at 26/01/2024 - 11:28
The worst tenant that I ever had was actually a council employee. When she rented the property she asked for a discount and I actually gave it to her hoping that she'd behave as a good tenant. Big mistake. What actually happened was that through the entire period of her tenancy she came up with lists of things that she wanted changed at the property. She also upset the neighbours. And then she left. She was worse than a dirty tenant.

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