The Letting Centre

Hello - this is my first post so apologies if this is in the wrong place.

We have one property which we privately let on ASTs for a number of years without problems. The current tenancy was a renewed AST which expires on the 1st August 2007. However we have found the tenants unco-operative at best abusive at the worst. There have been two defaults on rent. We decided not to renew the tenancy this time and gave 3 months notice to this effect. They are due to vacate 1st August.

I found out when the City council sent us the Council Tax bill from 31 May - end March 08 for a vacant property that they have left (tenants pay the Council Tax). I have checked with the bank that they did not pay the rent by Standing order for May. They did not notify us of their intentions. We have one months deposit. We had not put the house up for let so are unlikely to get tenants quickly.

By the Contract they will owe us three months rent. They should also be paying the Council tax. I don't know yet about the bills. We have no forwarding address. Though I believe both are working locally still.

Is there anything we can do to get our money or should we just put it down to experience (and take the losses). Should we at least inform the Council that they are still liable under the contract? What about unpaid bills - will we have to pay these?

If we incur these expenses can we put them against tax liability?

I hope someone can help us. Thanks in advance.