Local Authority reclaiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax for 4 months?
I own a flat in Tyne and Wear with a DSS tenant, assured shorthold tenancy, no deposit (stupid I know).
I recently received a letter from H Benefit saying my tenant has just left and therefore Housing Benefit has stopped-fair enough.
I have just received another letter stating that the tenant left in October and I have to repay nearly 4 months housing benefit!!
I also have the Council after me for 4 months Council Tax. My question is:
1.Why can Housing benefit not reclaim the rent from the tenant-they could do this by reducing the benefit on the flat that he’s moved to.
2.Why can the Council not pursue the tenant for Council Tax, I had no way of knowing that the flat was vacant and it strikes me as totally unfair that I am being asked for this money when the tenant was still legally my existing tenant-no notice given, etc etc.
Any advice your readers can give would be most welcome, I am sure this situation is fairly common!
Douglas
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