Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval from the Executive Member to write off former rent arrears over £5000, where there is no realistic prospect of repayment.

Resolved:      That Former Tenant Arrears over £5000 be written off on the understanding that if necessary they can be re-instated at a later date.

Reason:         It is considered good financial practice to write off uncollectable debts so that they do not count against the bad debt provision within the Housing Revenue Account. Debts can be written back onto a customer’s account if they come to the attention of Housing Services in the future and will be applied against policies which consider housing related debt.

Officers presented the case for writing off former tenant arrears that were unlikely to recovered. The Executive member questioned officers on the timescale of the individual cases presented and agreed that the option to write off these arrears was in the best interest of the Council.

Resolved:  That Former Tenant Arrears over £5000 be written off on the understanding that if necessary they can be re-instated at a later date.

Reason:     It is considered good financial practice to write off uncollectable debts so that they do not count against the bad debt provision within the Housing Revenue Account. Debts can be written back onto a customer’s account if they come to the attention of Housing Services in the future and will be applied against policies which consider housing related debt.