‘Councils perceive landlords as dubious and don’t understand their statutory duties’
3 years ago | 11 comments
Local authority tells tenants not to leave the property?
12:03 AM, 7th July 2023, 3 years ago
182
Hello, tenants were due to vacate the property this weekend. However, the tenants have told the management agency that they have been advised by the local authority to stay put as they are a couple with a young child.
Where do I stand on this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Sheila
Editors Note: You can check out Property118’s investigation on councils telling tenants to stay put here
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Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 88
11:46 AM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter Newman at 07/07/2023 – 10:48
Except being found ‘intentionally homeless’ should not prevent a local authority from complying with their legal duties under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017?!
It is this failure by councils to comply with their statutory duties to advise, prevent and relieve homelessness as well as the ill-informed or rogue behaviour of some landlords that are the primary causes of bad relations between Council and private sector landlords…
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 88
12:01 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Hi Sheila,
Firstly if notice is being served as you or a family member wish to resume living in the property, then the LA are unable to insist on the tenants remaining in situ.
I am curious as to when the managing agency were notified that the council had advised the tenants to stay put? Because you as the property owner may have only been advised of this recently, does not mean the managing agency were….
To be honest, in my extensive experience as a former housing officer in local authorities working with tenants, landlords and letting agencies, I have personally advised some owners that their managing agency are not working proactively in managing tenancies and to get rid of them as they are paying for a service they are not receiving!
I’m not saying that is the case here, but it may be worth you establishing the facts direct from the tenants?
Also it is definitely worth you making contact with the local authority ( email preferably of course then you have a ‘paper trail’!?).
Find out from the local authority if they are assisting the tenants in accordance with the statutory duties to: Advise, Prevent and or Relieve the homeless under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.
It is not good enough for local authorities to simply tell tenants to remain when they have the specific STATUTORY duties as outlined above!
If local authorities are not reminded or shamed of their legal duties then they should be exposed!
Good luck, hope you have a speedy successful outcome.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 39
1:20 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Adrian Jones at 07/07/2023 – 10:20
If the tenant is on benefits you can get them to pay rent direct to you
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 39
1:34 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Golfman at 07/07/2023 – 10:52
I’m in same situation. I will NEVER rent to those on benefits again… And won’t need too with a property in E London close to the Elizabeth line!
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 39
1:38 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Fergus Dodd at 07/07/2023 – 11:44
My rental is in Newham and I waiting for court to issue possesion order. 3 months in total so far! ..Newham Council are a bunch of _ _ _ _ s!
Member Since October 2018 - Comments: 149
1:44 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
I have a copy of a letter sent from the then housing minister Brandon Lewis advising Local authorities that they should not be advising tenants to stay beyond Eviction notice.
I can’t add it here, but happy to provide copy.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 66
1:55 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 07/07/2023 – 13:44I’d like to see this please [email protected]
Cheers
Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 8
2:11 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 07/07/2023 – 13:44
I’d like to see that as well please send to [email protected], thank you
Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 5
2:18 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 07/07/2023 – 13:44
Hi,
I’m going through similar to original post. Please may I see also [email protected]
Thank you
Member Since July 2020 - Comments: 29
2:52 PM, 7th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 07/07/2023 – 13:44
Councils know this but simply don’t care.