Social housing

There are some bills which have to be paid. It doesn't matter how hard we try to pretend they're not real and that they will go away - they almost certainly will not disappear and ignoring a bill can only make the situation worse.

If you live in council-rented accommodation, the rent you pay is probably the most important bill that you need to make sure you pay. Every year Medway Council runs a campaign targetted at people living in council accommodation. It is aimed at encouraging them to ensure their rent is paid on time.

In September 2008, rent arrears in Medway reached almost £344,000. The council tries to be sympathetic to tenants who are having problems paying their rent but when arrears build up, it will take action that could result in them losing their homes.

Medway Council has worked hard to make sure there are lots of different ways in which people can pay their rent, making it as easy as possible for tenants, so that arrears need not build up at any time of the year. It is surprising how quickly arrears can build up, so it is best not to let that happen.

The council can take current and former tenants to court and force them to pay what they owe. However, this is often a last resort. Estate officers are more than willing to help people manage their debt effectively. They are happy to talk to tenants and consider individual circumstances to reach an affordable agreement to pay off the debt.

Rent payments to the council go towards the cost of managing and maintaining council housing. If tenants do not pay their rent it means there is less to spend on tenants’ homes.

For example, £344,000 arrears could buy 34 door entry systems for blocks of flats and sheltered accommodation, providing more security for tenants and helping to reduce anti-social behaviour.

It could buy 114 new central heating systems and boilers. This could help to save tenants money and have an impact on the environment by making their homes more energy efficient.

The council has many simple payment options to make paying rent easy and convenient.

Medway Council, in conjunction with the Citizens Advice Bureau, has produced a debt counselling information pack for tenants who are having problems with paying their rent.

The contents are intended to be used as a self-help pack to help people work out their finances. The pack gives useful ideas for letters, tips on sorting out priority debts first and how to work out a realistic repayment plan for other debts.

Housing benefit can also help when it becomes difficult to pay the rent.

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