A WOMAN has been evicted from a two-bed home owing almost £7,500 in rent and court costs to Basildon Council.
The 52-year-old had been living at Pendle Drive, Basildon, when she stopped paying rent in July 2024.
Despite continued offers of help and financial support, the tenant failed to make any further payments over the next 12 months and ignored warnings of legal action.
A possession order was granted by Basildon County Court in February this year, meaning the council had the power to take back the property.
When the tenant continued to ignore warnings of eviction, officers had no other choice but to end the tenancy and attended the address on Thursday, 26 June – although the tenant had already left the property.
The total owed by the former tenant is £7,398.95, which includes £6881.20 rent arrears and £517.75 court costs.
Councillor Adele Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing & Infrastructure, said: “We understand that everyone’s circumstances can change and that lots of people are feeling the pinch financially right now. However, when it comes to rent, we are very clear: it’s not ok to not pay.
“This individual was offered a lot of help and support, which they ignored, and as a result we were left with no choice but to take the strongest legal action we can.
“We urge anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties to speak to us. We will always do our utmost to help, but the worst thing you can do is ignore the problem because it will not go away – and as we saw in this case, it can end up costing you your home.”
The two-bed property will now be re-let through the housing waiting list and officers from the council’s rent team will seek to recover the debt from the former tenant.
Any council tenant struggling to pay their rent should contact their rent officer. For more information visit basildon.gov.uk/need-rent-help.
