UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi
I am 25,from Scotland I have only one property, 3 bedroom flat. that I let out. I am looking for some advice

My first tenant is DSS, I wasnt keen on letting out to someone on HB but the lady and her kid really needed my flat and I half knew them. The first year or so seemed to be fine. I was getting cheques from the council and she would pay the different. But a few months ago things were getting strange. She wouldnt pay the difference, making excuses, kept saying she would hand it in latter bla bla bla. Then one day I called her and she said the roof had fallen in. Insurance didnt pay out because it has been leaking for a while (prob many months) and she didnt tell me, even tried to fix it herself and in the end it all fell in. This cost me a fortune to repair.

Then the following week I got a letter from council saying they were stopping her HB until they got more information, her son was going to college or something in their circumstances changed. So I approached her and for weeks she kept telling me she handed it into the council but this never happened. So i even offered to drive her there myself just so she could hand in the forms. she now assures me that she handed it in. So I have had no rent money since October from the council, although she has been paying her own £60 per month contribution.

I have now received a letter from the council stating that they have overpaid her HB from April - September and that I owe them £996. They only contribute £276 per 30 days at the moment. They say I have to pay them back.

How is this fair? Could this have been avoided? Am I liable? My parents tell me I should demand the money from her but the letter says i cant ask the money from my tenant.

I got this letter today and as it is Saturday I cant call the council. Is there even any advice phone numbers I could contact.

Thanks
Amanda