Former tenant arrears

Learn how we recover any unpaid rent from someone who is no longer a council tenant.

Former tenant’s arrears arise following tenants leaving their council tenancies, for a variety of reasons.

Contacting the former tenant

If a forwarding address has been given, we will contact the former tenant to request an arrangement to pay the outstanding balance. Where no forwarding address is given, we will try to trace the forwarding address.

Making arrangements

We will contact former tenants by letter, phone and visits to their new address, or by any other means. This is done to make arrangements, check their circumstances and follow up on previous agreements.

Debt collection agency

If an agreement is not kept or there is no contact, the account may be referred to a Debt Collection Agency.

Rehousing a former tenant

If a former tenant is rehoused, usually as part of our statutory duties, the former tenancy arrears will be linked to the rent account for their new home. An agreement is then made to repay the debt.