Hi Aviva, thanks for your helpful advice, I really appreciate it. best wishes

Thanks Steven, I really appreciate your helpful response. All the best.

Hi Aviva, Thanks for your response. To answer your questions, it is a private landlord. The scenario is this: N handed his notice to quit Oct 09. N moved house, but due to his condition (schizophrenia) could not think straight or make judgements for himself and contacted the first landlord saying he had changed his mind and wanted to stay. A new tenancy agreement was signed for the first place. N continues to live at the second place and hasn't paid any rent for the first place, and the landlord hasn't checked his bank account so doesn't know. So N has two homes, one which is paid for (his current place) and another (the first one) which is not paid for and which he does not live in. Very complicated, but when you consider this guy has a form of schizophrenia which impairs thinking, logic and decision making, it's not surprising. If the first landlord decides to take legal action to recover the £4000 rent arrears, will it only be a weekly deduction of approximately £2 to £4 maximum from his benefits? Can they deduct from all his benefits or only Income support (he gets Disability Living Allowance and Severe Disability Premium)? What would be the best course of action right now? End the first tenancy by letter? thanks so much

Hi, My friend has schizophrenia and is on Income Support, Severe Disability Premium, Disability Living Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. He owes approximately £4,000 rent arrears on a property he rented in London. Could you please tell me what is the likely outcome? He does not live at that property anymore, but what can the landlord do. Can the landlord recover the rent arrears via his benefits ? If so, how much can be recovered and at what monthly/weekly rate? I believe it is called a Third Party Deduction. If anyone can shed any light on this, I would be very grateful Thanks!