Our client was a joint council tenant with his partner ……

Client profile:
Our client was a joint council tenant with his partner, in full-time employment and not receiving benefits.  As a victim of domestic abuse, the client was helped by the Council with a managed move process, which meant that the client, together with his two children could leave the joint council property and the abusive situation into another property.

Reason why client needs advice:
Our client was seeking our advice as he was being prevented from bidding for a permanent council housing tenancy, due to rent arrears of £800 on the client's former council property which accrued after the client had left the property.  Our client did not feel he was liable for this debt given that he had moved out of the property, with the assistance of the Council, before the arrears arose.

What we have done to help the client:
Our Housing Specialist opened a dialogue with the Council on the client's behalf.  We put the point to the Council that they had accepted our client's implied surrender of interest in the jointly tenanted property when he left the property with assistance from the Council's managed move process; so given the Council's knowledge, acceptance and assistance with the process, our client could not be pursued for arrears occurring after that point.

Outcome:

Initially the council did not accept our argument that they had accepted our client's surrender of interest in the jointly tenanted property, but the client soon after received written confirmation from the Council saying that they were no longer being pursued for the arrears. This means that the arrears have been removed from the client's housing records and he is now able to bid on properties on the housing register, which will hopefully enable him to build a new life with his children in secure housing.