There are many options open to you if you get into debt. We can give you advice about debt-counselling agencies such as the 24-hour National Debtline on 0800 808 4000, or the Citizens Advice Bureau.
To help you manage your money, why not download our budget spreadsheet.
If you have problems paying your rent or service charge
If you cannot pay your rent or service charge, or you are not sure about which benefits you can claim, you should contact your accommodation officer as soon as possible. We will always treat you with respect and give you advice in confidence. We can often give you help to come to an agreement to help you manage your money and arrange an affordable repayment plan.
What will happen if you do not pay your rent?
You must pay your rent on time as a condition of your tenancy and lease agreement.
If you do not pay on time, we will do the following:
- We will contact you and ask you to pay the money you owe. We will usually contact you as soon as you miss a payment.
- We will find out why you have missed a payment and offer you advice about benefits and give you information about debt counselling, if appropriate.
- We will make an arrangement for you to pay, taking account of your circumstances and how much you earn.
- If you do not pay, we will contact you again to discuss any difficulties you may have, and to make other arrangements for you to pay.
- If you do not keep to our arrangement, we may have to take legal action against you, and possibly take back your home (evict you). We will serve a legal notice (called a 'notice of seeking possession') which means we will take you to court if you do not pay the money you owe us. We will not do this if you have written proof that you are waiting for Housing Benefit to pay the money you owe.
- If you continue to owe us money, we may have to take you to court. If we take this action, we will add the legal costs to the amount you owe. The court will normally order you to repay the money you owe us.
- If you still owe us money after we have taken you to court, we can evict you. We will only evict you as a last resort.
