Hoping someone on here can help? I'm getting nowhere with the council.
In Nov after a long running dispute with the landlord over various legal issues (I'll omit to keep this short, but happy to explain) I left a tenancy 7 months early (was 2.5 yeas). I immediately called the council (both properties in same billing area) to inform and to take on liability at new property.
The landlord had re-marketed the property the month previously - hence my need to move quickly, tenancy was until June.
The landlord entered the property with a band of his workmen and stole around £2000 worth of possessions while I was midmove (not that it matters but I'm heavily pregnant and this was a bit terrifying and can't beelieve the council are supporting this 'landlord') then returned to change the locks, in the same month. So - effectively no access from Nov. (I was happy to hand existing keys to landlord in exchange for a receipt of return as he is quite dodgy)
Out of spite landlord has said to council I retain the council tax liability until end of tenancy (June!)... despite the fact he has re-let the property to new tenants.
I appealed and wrote to council explaining the changed locks and new tenant and they STILL are holding me liable until June. Despite new tenant and the fact that I am happily paying them on a new property. They and are pushing ahead with court action ... I cant just pay... it's a huge bill - £280 a month on a high band! (will be on SMP soon!)
They have said my only recourse is to write another letter. I dont know what else I can say that there is another tenant in the property and that the landlord changing the locks was implied surrender?
They will no longer discuss verbally and feel like I am doomed to end up in court, never been through anything like this.
Any legal eagles with advice.... anyone been through similar and have takes of success.... or warning?