Arrears
We are committed to the recovery of all debts and would like to remind you of your responsibility to ensure that rent payments are made on time.
Action will be taken if you fall into rent arrears, which could ultimately result in the loss of your home.
What should I do if I miss a payment?
If you fall into arrears, please contact your local One Stop Shop or Homes Direct, on 01902 556789 immediately. Alternatively you can use our secure online equiry form. It is important you speak to us a soon as possible.
We will provide all possible help and advice to people having difficulty paying their rent. This includes:
- Giving confidential support.
- Advising residents where they may be entitled to help with their rent – as well as other welfare benefits.
- Helping with Housing Benefit claim forms and ensuring that these and supporting documents reach Housing Benefits.
- Making arrangements to clear the arrears.
- Helping those who have difficult debt situations by providing money management advice or referring them to specialist debt advice agencies.
What will happen if I fall behind with my rent?
If, despite help and support, you are still behind with your rent we will:
- Send you a reminder asking you to pay the amount owed and to contact your local One Stop Shop.
- Contact you to make an arrangement to pay the outstanding amount.
- Send you a 'notice of seeking possession' (if you are an introductory tenant it will be a 'notice of possession proceedings'). You have four weeks to pay the debt.
- We will contact you about possible court action.
- If you do not pay your arrears, there will be a hearing at the county court. The court will make a court order for possession and you will have to pay court costs, you must also pay off the debt.
- If you are a secure tenant and fail to follow the county court order we will ask the court for permission to evict you. If you are an introductory tenant the court will issue a warrant to evict you. You will have to pay the cost of the warrant fee.
- If you are issued with a warrant to evict you and you do not leave your home, the county court baliff carries out the eviction. You must still pay the arrears owed. If you are evicted your name may be entered in the list of county court judgements and you may be prevented from getting credit and other services.
We may take the following steps to recover your rent:
- Phoning you at home and work, sending you a text, writing to you or visitng you at home.
- Use debt recovery agents, these are contractors who collect debt on our behalf.
- Ask Jobcentre Plus to take money from your benefits.
- Take legal action which may result in you losing your home.
If you have rent arrears, you will not be allowed to apply to transfer to another property and if you are applying to buy your home, this will be reviewed.
Your priority in the Homes in The City Scheme will be effected if you leave your home owing rent arrears, court costs or recharged repair accounts.
We continue to vigorously pursue tenants who have left their home with rent arrears and other debts.
