unpaid council tax

Other

My tenant has been renting from me for 18 months now and has always paid his rent on time and never been a problem. He did inform me that he had been a bankrupt in the past due to a failed business but I put him in place following an interview, considering he had fallen on hard times and was now sorting himself out (possibly not a great decision).

I received a call last week from the council, informing me that he has not paid his council tax in all the time he has been at the property and that he also has council tax debts from a previous property. They said a bailif has called but he was not home and that a court summonds is there next course of action.

I would be really grateful if you could advise me what the most appropriate course of action would be. The Council have said that I am not liable for his bill but of course, if he is given a custodial sentence, I will be likely to find the rent is not paid. He has an RLA AST which is now on a roling tenancy but I have not given him a section 21 to date. I have been waiting for him to pay this months rent before contacting him (which he has now done), but of course after I do contact him, he may decide he has got nothing to lose in not paying me in future either.

What would be the best course of action?

Many thanks, Suzy