Tenant's Right To Withhold Rent

Rent Arrears

Hi, I have a tenant who has now abandoned a property which I have now taken back with her consent. I am in communication with her. She owes about £500. The property requires some repairs (leaky shower hose, couple of broken tiles etc). We have attempted to conduct these repairs during the ast however we have not been granted access. For example, she cancels at the last minute, is not there at the agreed time. We have copies of several letters stating her failure to attend and asking her to contact us to arrange another appointment.

At what point is a tenant in the right to withhold rent?

Additionally, we are starting to see LHA tenants text us to say they are not going to pay the rent as the Council have advised them not to due to disrepair. The disrepair is more often not there and is being used as a ruse to pocket the LHA. Is it general Council policy to advise non payment?

Many thanks