Support paying your rent
If you are having trouble paying your rent, please contact us. It is better to deal with the problem straight away. If you let debts build up, you could be at risk of losing your home.
Support for rent payments
Our Income team is here to help customers who are worried about paying their rent and our Welfare Benefit Advice team helps customers access unclaimed benefits and welfare support. There are a number of ways that that we may be able to help including:
- setting up personal repayment plans
- assessing if you are entitled to more benefits than you are currently receiving
- helping you to plan your budget
- exploring employment and training opportunities to raise your income.
If you're having difficulties paying your rent, as well as contacting us we also recommend contacting Payplan for free money management advice. Call free 0800 316 1833 or visit the Payplan website.
Support for debt
If you feel overwhelmed by debt and don’t know where to turn, our free Debt Advice Service can help. Our expert team provide confidential guidance and support – including help with writing off debt, obtaining charity grants, budgeting and reducing energy bills. We know it can be daunting to take that first step and contact us – but we are here to help. Get in touch and tell us about your situation, and we’ll handle the rest. You can contact us in several ways:
- Debt Advice Service direct line: 01173 170 701
- Complete this short form and we will be in touch.
- Send us an email with your name, contact information and address, as well as a short summary of your situation.
You can also sign up to Lightning Reach - a one-stop-shop for financial support. You can look for grants, benefits, help with bills and local schemes you might be eligible for from multiple providers, and make a referral to our Debt Advice Service too. Fill out the application form and we will be in touch.
When you signed your tenancy agreement with us, you committed to keeping your rent account in credit at all times.
If you do find yourself in arrears, we will write to you and ask you to keep your payments up to date.
If you are struggling with rent payments, the earlier you get in touch with us, the quicker we can help you. Not letting us know could result in high arrears and possibly losing your home. Please contact your income officer if you're worried about paying your rent.
You can also download and read our leaflet on claiming a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Eviction is always a last resort. We do our best to make sure we discuss your payment options with you.
However, if you do not stick to the payment agreements we make with you, or alert us when you cannot make payments, you risk losing your home.
The following happens in the lead up to an eviction:
- We will serve you with a Notice of Seeking/Requiring Possession
- If you still do not clear the arrears as agreed in the time allowed, we will request a court hearing.
- At the time of the hearing, if you have still not cleared your arrears in full, the court can grant an outright possession order and we will arrange a date for eviction.
Sometimes the possession order may be suspended if the court allows more time for you to clear your arrears.
- If you still do not clear your arrears once a possession order has been suspended, we will ask the court to arrange an eviction and you may lose your home.
Please contact us if you need help or advice. We can refer you to other organisations that will be able to offer you extra help.
Download and read our Income maximisation policy
