WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ARREARS?The Council recognises that most people do not intend to be in arrears with their rent but due to problems such as unemployment, sickness, unexpected bills etc, may fall into arrears.
WHEN YOU START WORK
You will be sent a Tenancy Information Card showing the weekly rent due and a rent book for payment.
*Claim your extra 4 weeks benefit*
When starting work you may find that you will not receive your first salary payment for up to a month and may have difficulty paying the rent immediately. To overcome this the Government has designed a scheme under its 'Welfare to Work' initiative to help tenants over the first few weeks until they receive regular pay from their employer. This scheme entitles applicants to 4 extra weeks benefit but must be applied for within 8 days of Income Support ceasing. Application forms are available from the Job Centre.
Even if you are in employment you may still be entitled to some benefit and in particular Working Families Tax Credit if you are on a low income. Your Management Officer can discuss this with you.
There are various methods of paying the rent including Direct Debit, Post Office, Bank standing order, online, and credit card and cash at the Council Offices. Many tenants in employment often find it difficult to get to the post office on a regular basis. Paying by Direct Debit is a simple and straightforward way of ensuring your rent is regularly paid every month. Further information can be obtained from your Management Officer.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FALL INTO ARREARS?
It is imperative that as soon as you experience difficulty in paying your rent, that you contact your Housing Management Officer at the Council Offices. Any delay in doing this could cause your arrears to increase. The problem will not go away if you ignore it.
HOW CAN YOUR MANAGEMENT OFFICER HELP?
We are here to help and offer advice should you experience difficulty in paying your rent. Your Management Officer will check that you are receiving the welfare benefits that you are entitled to and assist with the completion of any necessary forms. We can indicate your approximate entitlement to Housing Benefit if you provide us with correct information on your income.
Your Management Officer will be sympathetic and understanding of genuine difficulties. We will help in reaching a realistic agreement to reduce the arrears each week but it is important that arrears are paid.
WHAT IF MY ARREARS CONTINUE?
If your arrears continues to rise or you do not reduce the balance we will have to take legal action, where the amount represents four weeks or over. The first stage in this action is the service of a Notice of Seeking Possession, this Notice gives a period of four weeks in which we would expect you to make satisfactory payments. If payments are not made in a satisfactory manner we will refer the case to Court.
If we do take you to Court this will be for possession of your home, we will also charge you over £200 in legal costs. Ultimately we will take eviction action if payments are not satisfactorily after the Possession order is granted. This is why it is critical that you maintain contact with your Management Officer.
MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM
Some people are missing out on Housing Benefit and other benefits because they do not know they qualify, or have difficulty in understanding the forms. Application forms for Housing Benefit are available from the Housing Department or the Housing Benefit Section. Your Management Officer is there to help you complete a benefit application form. Do not worry about asking we want to help. Delay will cost you money.