Public shouldn’t bear this cost

Sir, – It is unfortunate people do not read articles fully (“Council is battling rising tide of debt racked up by tenants”, The Courier, March 19).

By referring to rent defaulters masquerading as homeless people, I was raising a subject which hasn’t been made public and suggesting one way to address it – and also invited other suggestions.

I made it quite clear that my comments referred to a “tiny minority”.

These people may not be homeless or destitute, they may not be in need of accommodation; what I said was that they present themselves as being so. Furthermore, I haven’t claimed that this tiny minority are the full cause of the arrears, only that they are a cause and it is a cost which the public shouldn’t be having to bear.

The report to the Policy and Resources Committee stated: “Since former tenants’ arrears were last reported to committee, 23 tenancies have been abandoned and these tenancies had outstanding arrears of £21,984.26. This can make collection difficult e.g. no addresses to enable pursuit of arrears.”

Why should the honest resident, who pays their council tax, be expected to pay for the accommodation of persons who disappear owing money?

I bear in mind always the words of John Bradford, from the 16th Century, “There but for the grace of God…”, knowing it could have been me. In no way did I mean any disrespect for the vast majority of tenants just the tiny minority who ‘play the system’ and cost these tenants, as well as private householders.

I am fully supportive of the council officers who have to try to recover these debts. They do what they are able to, very capably, within the current legislation – I believe it’s the legislation that requires change. Cllr Richard Moore. Arbroath West, Letham & Friockheim Ward.