Thousands of pounds of debt from former tenants is set to be wiped by West Dunbartonshire Council, a new report has revealed.
Local authority bosses are seeking the write off of £135,418.22 of rent arrears from 18 cases after 'exhausting' all attempts to recover the funds.
The accounts which have been submitted to the council's housing and communities committee next week for write off are of former tenants and fall into the 'unreasonable to pursue due to being unable to trace or deceased' categories.
As of 2016, the chief officer for resources was given the power to wipe debts of up to £5000 and anything over this is to seek consent from a council committee.
According to the documents, those with debts exceeding this £5000 level "tend to lead chaotic lifestyles which can include addiction issues, health and various other issues."
In papers set to be voted on next week, the council revealed 99.58% of rent was collected in the 2024/25 period, a total of £49.813m.
However, it is to consider the wipe off of the £135k of arrears as it has 'not been possible to collect' or a sum 'it considers will not be recoverable'.
Once written off, a record of the arrears is maintained by the local authority and there is nothing to prevent the later pursuit of the debt if new information becomes available in the future.
In order to chase the arrears the council says they have exhausted every action including telephone calls, text messages, letters and house visits.
Council documents state: "Various attempts to recovery the debt are made, which include increased trace attempts for former tenants that have moved out-with our area, engagement attempts and consideration to further avenues for recovery which included discussions with our debt partners which can result in cases being reviewed for longer.
"These cases have exhausted all recovery attempts.
"Unfortunately, former tenants with arrears over £5000 tend to lead chaotic lifestyles which can include addiction issues, health and various other issues."
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