rent arrears

How to stop rent arrears building up

If for any reason you can’t make one of your rent payments, you must take action – even if that action is just a phonecall to us.  We’re here to help. Here are a few things to consider:

• We may be able to help out. For example, we have a special arrangement with the citizens advice bureau so they can give debt counselling to our tenants.
• Don’t ignore the problem and wait for it to go away – it won’t. Arrears increase quickly – by missing one payment, it already makes arrears doubly hard to clear. Take action before arrears get out of hand.
• Don’t ignore any letters we send you. Ignoring your arrears could cost you your home.
• If you think there has been a mistake, just tell us. We are always happy to check your account and sort out any problems, for example if we haven’t received one of your payments.
• If you are waiting for your housing benefit, tell us. We will not usually take legal action against you if we know you are waiting for a claim to be sorted out - provided you are making agreed payments.

What happens if you are in rent arrears?

If you are in rent arrears, you will not be able to transfer to another council property, unless you have maintained an agreement to reduce your arrears for at least six months before an offer of accommodation is made. There are also some further restrictions, for example you cannot:

• be transferred to certain housing associations, as they will not take tenants with arrears
• make a mutual exchange
• get a transferable discount grant. As well as these restrictions, we will also chase you for payment of the arrears.

Download our leaflet 'Having trouble paying your bills?'