I signed as a guarantor for my step daughter on a 9 month residential lease.
The idea was that her housing benefit would go to the landlord directly and I thought this was the case for some months.
The agent only did the credit checks and the paperwork.
After a few months the landlord contacted me telling me he was getting no rent, i immediately paid three months back rent directly to him.
The housing benefit continued to be paid to my step daughter and she continued to not pay the landlord. Soon the arears were 3 months again but when this second period of non payment started I asked the landlord to start eviction procedings as I was unhappy that the housing benefit was not spent on housing.
He said he had reached agreement with my step daughter to repay the arrears and pay the rent direct to him from the housing benefit. only £1000 was ever paid by the council, to force eviction I refused to pay the arears as I felt it was easy meat and the landlord quickly started the eviction procedings.
My question is this, whilst I appreciate as rent guarantor I have to pay the arrears but am I also liable for his court costs which stand at £1200 as this was to get a section 21 eviction notice.
Housing benefit was £650 a month and we are now in month 8 as I await eviction but only £2k ever made it to the landlord I am left with a £3600 rent arrears and £1200 legal bill which is harsh since I wanted the tenants out after 4 months.
Thanks
The idea was that her housing benefit would go to the landlord directly and I thought this was the case for some months.
The agent only did the credit checks and the paperwork.
After a few months the landlord contacted me telling me he was getting no rent, i immediately paid three months back rent directly to him.
The housing benefit continued to be paid to my step daughter and she continued to not pay the landlord. Soon the arears were 3 months again but when this second period of non payment started I asked the landlord to start eviction procedings as I was unhappy that the housing benefit was not spent on housing.
He said he had reached agreement with my step daughter to repay the arrears and pay the rent direct to him from the housing benefit. only £1000 was ever paid by the council, to force eviction I refused to pay the arears as I felt it was easy meat and the landlord quickly started the eviction procedings.
My question is this, whilst I appreciate as rent guarantor I have to pay the arrears but am I also liable for his court costs which stand at £1200 as this was to get a section 21 eviction notice.
Housing benefit was £650 a month and we are now in month 8 as I await eviction but only £2k ever made it to the landlord I am left with a £3600 rent arrears and £1200 legal bill which is harsh since I wanted the tenants out after 4 months.
Thanks