Rent arrears AIBU

[Potatoewithawonkyeye]

Apologies in advance for the rambling post!

Myself and long term partner split up around 8 months ago. We shared a joint tenancy in a council property. I have been effectively homeless since the split-sofa surfing/hotels/sleeping in the car.

Shortly after the split trying to collect my belongings my ex boyfriend informed me I no longer was on the tenancy so could essentially bugger off. Considering at this point I was sleeping in my car and never wanted to speak to the arsehole again I told myself it was just stuff and merrily went on my way.

Fast forward to now. I've just had a phone call informing me I was never taken off the tenancy and owe over £1000 rent arrears😫

Wtf do I do? I don't have £1 to my name right now never mind a thousand. I think I have enough evidence to prove I havnt been occupying the address?

AIBU if I just flat out refuse to pay it? What would the consequences be? I'm actual curious if bailiffs could come and take my 'assests'? (Basically the car I'm living out of)

Saying that I CANT pay it right now even if I wanted to!

Any advice?

Why didn't you contact the LL and asked to be removed from tenancy. LL's have to issue a new tenancy agreement when two tenants split and one is remaining. How is your LL supposed to know if you don't tell him. This is on you for not telling your LL. Surely you wouldn't trust an ex partner who threw you out with nowhere to live.

You need to speak to shelter or the CAB. I think you should have advised the council yourself when you left. And i don't think they can take you off a tenancy agreement without your consent.

Also you need to check that they are not pursuing you for all the arrears as opposed to half.

You would have had to be there to be removed from the tenancy.

Not that that helps at this point.

You will still be liable for the rent unfortunately.

Is he still in the property?

All you can do is call, explain your circumstances and offer 50p or £1 a week in repayments. They can add more and more charges to it so it could end up an even more ridiculous amount which will impact you getting a private let.

Legally they can pursue both of them for all of it, until it's paid.

Having had a previous tenant who ran up loads debt in a property, presuming it's same type scenario, you would just need to contact the LL and inform them the date you left, including any proof you have- proof could include text messages to the ex etc. Texts of friends who allowed you to sofa surf.

Some companies I contacted needed verbal confirmation saying tenant had gone, others wanted my first born child's kidney and rhe promise of my etenal soul as proof. Depends what their policies are.