Email from council about my notice to tenant?

Email from council about my notice to tenant?

0:02 AM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago 64

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Hello, S21 has been issued and now in accelerated stage. Awaiting a date from judge. Council has just contacted me about tenant asking the following…

When did tenant move into the above address?
How much is the rent at the above address?
Why has tenant been served with notice to leave his/her accommodation?
Did tenant accrue arrears at the above address? If yes, when did the arrears begin to accrue and what are the current outstanding arrears?
If applicable, please provide details of any payment arrangements entered into with tenant to clear the arrears and the outcome of these arrangements.
Have there been any other management issues relating to tenant tenancy at the above address? If yes, please provide further information.
Can anything be done at this stage that would prevent you from pursuing their eviction from the above address? If yes, please provide further information.
Is there any other information that you consider may be relevant to my enquiries?

I could just say S21 and that a reason does not have to be given as it is not a mandatory requirement. Does that mean they have to assume it’s not her ‘fault’ and maybe help her to leave earlier so I don’t have to get the bailiffs in?
Do I just lie and say it’s because I am looking to sell? Do I just ignore the email completely?

Thanks,

Mark


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Comments

Martin O'Hearne

12:33 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Don’t bin it, reply to it. This is exactly what Governments and Councils should have been doing years ago, that way they would know that Landlords don’t use S21 without good reason and that it isn’t “no fault”!
And when they ask “Can anything be done at this stage that would prevent you from pursuing their eviction from the above address? “ tell them yes, withdraw S24, stop all licensing schemes (cons) come clean on energy requirements, get off the backs of Landlords and de-fund Shelter!

Matthew Jude

13:04 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Be very wary of giving information to the council. They will invariably side with the tenant in any dispute.
We had a similar s21 in force, the council (nottingham city) told us they would pay the tenants arrears if we issued a new 12 month tenancy.
We agreed, but my wife is more cynical than me, so we waited until after the date we had agreed to issue the new tenancy, and called them.
Surprise surprise, they cannot pay off the arrears!
Local authorities do not deal fairly or honestly with landlords. They are public servants, yet act in a dreadfully partisan manner.
They regard you as the enemy, regardless of the tenants behaviour, even when that behaviour is criminal or fraudulent.
The bottom line is, they are not neutral. Do not trust them.

Reluctant Landlord

13:16 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Matthew Jude at 27/10/2023 - 13:04
Matthew Jude. So I assume you ran with the S21 and tenant now evicted?

Reluctant Landlord

13:18 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin O'Hearne at 27/10/2023 - 12:33
Martin O'Hearne. Might be better to do that after if there is a slight possibility the council MAY move tenant on before bailifs have to be sent in?

Michael Booth

13:31 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Best to ignore , they are fishing for info they should have all the details from the tenancy agreement asking for any debt info on rent so they can get out of housing them because this is deemed has making yourself homeless, has for going early good luck with that like all councils they will tell them to take it to court then ignore court order ,you get a bailiff order to remove them .what the council fail to tell the tenant is that you are legally entitled to claim cost you incure from the tenant.

Peter Merrick

14:11 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

The matter is confidential and private between you and the tenant, so just confirm the section 21. If you like, you can also tell them that anything further would require a letter confirming the tenant's consent.

David Houghton

15:22 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

It could be they are considering a discretionary housing benefit payment. Engage with them of this is the case, may get some arrears paid off.

Old Mrs Landlord

16:36 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Just do what Local Authorities do and reply that the Data Protection Act means you are not at liberty to disclose this private information about others.

Simon F

16:38 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 27/10/2023 - 16:36
Don't go there - they might simply have the tenant authorise for private info to be provided, then you'll be caught out.

BRACKS Mead

16:45 PM, 27th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Same. Council tried to intervene in ours too. The council did everything to prolong /keep tenant in property, cost us landlords extra time, hours of work and extra costs. The council are not trying to help YOU out. Thats for sure.
If you want tenant to leave (for whatever reason) Id reply as the above LL said eg confirming legal proceedings are ongoing and no comment.
But I would make clear "no action will stop the eviction" or something similar.

make that clear, they might stop trying to keep tenant in your place, and actually do their job of rehousing.

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