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Rent arrears
There are some bills that have to be paid. They almost certainly
will not disappear and ignoring a bill can only make the situation
worse.
If you live in council-rented accommodation, your rent is
probably the most important bill that you need to make sure you
pay. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to pay your rent in
full and on time. This is stated clearly in the tenancy agreement
that you sign when you become a tenant.
If you do not pay the rent, it becomes arrears. This is not good
for you, as unpaid rent soon mounts up.
Although our rents are set at what the government terms as an
affordable level, several weeks or even months of unpaid rent can
soon leave you with a sum that seems impossible to pay.
It is also not good for the council as your landlord. If
you do not pay your rent and any other debts that you owe to
Housing Services, it means it has less to spend on your home. The
department takes this so seriously that even if you move to another
landlord or away from the area, becoming a former tenant, it will
still pursue you for the money you owe.
Whether you are a current or former tenant, the council can and
will take you to court to force you to pay what you owe. This is
often a last resort, however, and council officers are more than
willing to help you find a way to manage your debt effectively and
arrange an affordable payment agreement that meets your needs and
circumstances.
If the council has to take you to court over money that you owe,
your chances of successfully applying for a new council property,
moving to a private landlord or getting a mortgage are dramatically
reduced. You will also have to pay for the cost of the court case
and if bailiffs are involved, you will have to pay their costs
too.
View our rent arrears policy visit our key policies page.
Go to our Income management service
standards leaflet on our housing leaflet page.
Financial difficulties
If you are having financial difficulties, it
is important that you do not ignore it. Help and advice is
available. You may also be entitled to other
benefits as well as housing benefit. Advisors at Housing benefit can give
you guidance.
Independent organisations can also give you advice on handling
your money and any debt that you may be in. Go to our independent advice
page for further details.
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