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Paying Rent

What if I am having problems paying?

Call your housing officer immediately who can advise you what to do next. See also Debt Management.

Rent Arrears

It is the council's clear duty as a landlord to take effective action to secure payment of rent. We will make every possible effort to encourage and enable you to pay your rent.

If you persistently fail to pay your rent however, we will take you to court to evict you.

If you are evicted you are likely to be declared intentionally homeless if you apply for re-housing. That means that this, or any other authority, will not re-house you. Even after eviction, you will be vigorously pursued to recover your debt.

Remember:

  • The council has a duty to those tenants who do pay their rent – because they will have to pay more to cover the cost of the debt. Continuously high levels of arrears could affect the services that can be provided by the council.
  • Tenants who have owed less than £100 have been successfully taken to court and evicted. Those who have to be taken to court have to pay court costs which are added to their debt.
How do I prevent getting behind with my rent?
  • Pay your rent when it is due, which is every Monday. If you want to make other arrangements to pay e.g. by standing order, monthly or fortnightly payment, these must be paid in advance.
  • Tenants on Income Support must apply for Housing Benefit to cover their rent. You must re-apply before your benefit expires, if you are not sure about the expiry date check with the Housing Benefit section. Otherwise your claim will expire and you will be responsible for the payment of the full rent and the full council tax. This is also applicable if you are on any other type of state benefit or low income as you may be entitled to money off your rent.

If you run into any difficulties or find you are not coping you must tell your local area Housing Office or contact Housing Benefits immediately. Help – financial or otherwise – cannot always be given retrospectively. There are people you can talk to and assistance available – do not ignore the problem. If you cannot repay the debt immediately, you may be able to arrange to pay something extra in addition to your rent. This will help you to pay off the debt gradually and prevent further action being taken. But this has to be done in discussion with your housing officer and any agreement made must be adhered to.

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Changes in your circumstances

You must tell the Housing Benefit section if:

  • You start work
  • You stop receiving Income Support or other benefits
  • You change to a different type of benefit
  • Your income changes
  • There are any changes in your household (if someone moves in or moves out, starts work or reaches 18 years of age)
  • There are any other financial changes

The Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) will not tell us this information automatically – it is your responsibility to do so.

See the Online Benefits Calculator

If you do not tell us immediately, this means you will be overpaid Housing Benefit and this overpayment will be recovered either from your future benefit or through court action. When we find out, your Housing Benefit will be stopped and you will have to pay the full rent. Non disclosure of information may affect future benefit claims.

Remember
  • Benefits cannot be paid until you move in (and you must move in by the date your tenancy starts or you may lose your Housing Benefit entitlement)
  • We cannot pay Housing Benefit on two properties
  • Please tell us immediately if your rent book runs out
  • Finally, if you have any problems with paying your rent, understanding forms, or there are any changes in your circumstances, tell your housing officer immediately