Liability for Debt Incurred by Tenant – Landlord Responsibility?

A tenant (AST) left his Flat owing rent amounting to £4000 (having kept Housing Benefit/Universal Credit).

During his tenancy on 16/03/17, Police were called to the address (by the tenant) and Police, apparently acting under the authority of a Duty of Care to me, instructed Rapid Secure Ltd to secure the address. I did not know about the incident.

On 08/05/2018, I received an invoice addressed to the Owner/Occupier for £204.00 from Rapid Secure Ltd Debt Recovery.

The tenant vacated the flat on 04/06/2017. There was no evidence of any damage to the property other than the lock had been changed, presumably, by Rapid Secure Ltd.

Am I responsible for the tenant’s debt to Rapid Secure Ltd? Rapid Secure Ltd claim as the owner of the property, I have to pay.

Also, do I not have the right to know the full facts of the incident from the police and Rapid Secure Ltd if I am being held responsible for paying a bill I don't know anything about?

View Related Handbook Page

Tenant Obligations

Landlords may impose reasonable obligations on the tenant that affect their behaviour (including anti-social behaviour) and their visitors through the tenancy agreement. In addition, occupiers of HMOs have specified legal obligations under the Management of HMO regulations referred to above, and every occupier mus