Housing Benefit Repayment Demanded for Runner Tenant

Housing Benefit Overpayment

I discovered in early July that one of my Housing Benefit (not LHA) tenants had done a proverbial runner approximately three months previously after service of S8 and S21 notices. Neither I nor the HB authorities involved were notified and HB continued to be paid for this period. I had been advised by Greater Manchester Police to avoid direct contact with the tenant concerned due to threats made against me (and my family) by an associated family that we served concurrent ntoices upon.

HB has now demanded repayment for the three months in question. Given that I accepted the rent in strictest good faith, that I was advised not to antagonise the situation by contacting the tenant or inspecting the property and that one month's notice should properly have been given to me by the tenant (who had lived there for some two years) I feel that this demand is unreasonable.

Could you please advise me whether I have grounds for contesting the repayment demanded of me.

Thank you for your assistance.

TomD