Problems Paying your Rent

This page explains how we deal with rent arrears and how we can help you.

If you are having problems paying your rent you must contact our Rent Section straight away.

We will:-

1. Offer you a private interview at the Council Offices or in your home.
2. Check if you can claim Housing Benefit and help you fill in a Housing Benefit form
   or...
   you can use an online benefit calculator to self-assess if you qualify for Housing Benefit.
3. Help you to sort out your weekly budget.
4. Come to a reasonable agreement for you to pay the money you owe.
5. Give you details of agencies that can help you with debt.

If your rent is not paid:-

1. We will contact you and ask you to pay the money you owe

2. If you cannot pay all the money, we will make a repayment agreement with you.
   If you keep to your agreement to pay, then we will not take any further action.

3. If you do not keep to your agreement, we will send you a Notice of Seeking Possession.

4. If you still do not work with us to pay the money you owe, we will apply to get a court order.

5. If you do not keep to the court order we will go back to court to apply for an eviction order.

Your rent is due on a weekly basis. It is due on a Monday and must be paid by Friday of the same week.

Debt counselling and money advice

You can often overcome debts and money problems if you get advice. An advisor can help draw up a budget and agree a realistic payment plan. In many cases, they can help by negotiating with creditors such as gas and electric companies and building societies.

For free debt advice, please contact:

CCCS (Consumer Credit Counselling Service)

This is a National charity giving free debt advice and support, assistance with debt management, budgeting, bankruptcy and IVAs. Contact them via CCCS Debt Remedy - their online debt help service.