Rent arrears – Benefit Nightmare?

I have a tenant who was unable to work due to health reasons. His partner left him a couple of years ago and subsequently, I’ve gone out of my way to try to find ways for him to stay in the flat because of his health.

We mutually agreed that this wasn’t viable anymore and he happily accepted the reality that I had to submit a Section 21 Eviction Notice. His plan being to take that to the Housing Department to get on the Housing Waiting List. We were told that, because of his health issues, he’ll be on the priority list. Great.

However, as soon as the Eviction Notice was served he has shut down all communication and has stopped paying the little bit of rent that he was, stating that his benefits have been suspended. I’ve been going around in circles trying to find out who to contact to firstly, inform them that the rent isn’t being paid (I now have a strong suspicion that there is no such suspension and he was just hoping that I wouldn’t chase him for the rent arrears once he’d gone). This means that I need to inform the Benefits Office that he isn’t paying his rent.

Anyone else had this? And, if so, how did you get it resolved?

Cheers

PP