Rent Arrears
Derwentside Homes intends to collect the maximum amount of rent income and other charges due from tenants. We will aim to collect this income promptly, will adopt a firm, fair and helpful approach to recovery of rent arrears and will act quickly to prevent arrears from building up. We will make personal contact with tenants whose accounts go into arrears to offer advice and make realistic repayment arrangements.
Derwentside Homes recognises that a tenant’s personal circumstances can sometimes make it difficult to maintain rent payments and wishes to assist and advise tenants in maximising their income through benefits and avoiding debts.
There are established arrangement/protocols with the Councils Housing Benefit Service to allow communication over cases where arrears are thought to be accumulating because of delays in processing a Housing Benefit claim. Staff will liaise regularly with the HB service to share information to remove obstacles to efficient housing benefit administration, and to be informed of changes to Housing Benefit administration.
Where arrears persist, Derwentside Homes will take legal action to repossess the property and Section 4, paragraph 2 of the Tenancy Agreement sets out the tenant’s responsibilities in respect of the payment of rent, service charges and any other charges Derwentside Homes will work closely with the Councils Homelessness Section on the joint prevention of homelessness strategy; this can include letters or joint visits with Derwentside Homes and Local Authority staff. It is not policy to approve an eviction warrant application without previous referral to the Councils Homeless Team or making consideration under the relevant Disability Discrimination Act.
When signing up new tenants Derwentside Homes will request one week rent in advance and carry out new tenant visits at four weeks after the commencement of a tenancy to discuss any issues including rent arrears and to offer additional support to vulnerable tenants.
Derwentside Homes will write to/ interview /carry out a home visit and financial assessment for all tenants whose arrears total equates to one weeks or more (including tenants who are claiming Housing Benefit for part of their rent). Derwentside Homes will advise tenants on how they can maximise their income through benefits and to make an arrangement to repay the arrears.
The tenant will be advised that if the total rent owed rises to the equivalent of 6 weeks or more, Derwentside Homes will start proceedings for possession. In exceptional cases Derwentside Homes reserves the right to issue proceedings as soon as arrears arise, especially where there is a history of non-payment.
A pre court protocol will be followed before any application is made to the Court to ensure that Derwentside Homes and the tenants’ interests are recognised. A possession order will be requested at the court hearing, unless there are extenuating circumstances. A suspended order will be sought if proposals for repayment are made that are acceptable to Derwentside Homes, or if a significant amount of the arrears are cleared prior to the hearing. Where a tenant is in substantial rent arrears and has failed to make contact with Derwentside Homes or has refused to make an arrangement to repay the debt Derwentside Homes would seek an Immediate Possession Order.
If you need help with your rent you can contact our Social Inclusion Officer.
Housing Benefit
If you are having difficulty paying your rent and are facing action over rent arrears it is important to check that you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to. If you rent your home from Derwentside Homes and have a low income or are claiming welfare benefits, you may be entitled to housing benefit to help you pay your rent. Housing Benefit is managed by Durham County Council's Revenues and Benefits section. It is your responsibility to pay your rent and therefore it is important that you contact the Council if you feel that you are not getting the benefits you are entitled to. Further information on how to claim Housing Benefit is available here. If you need help with your housing benefit you can contact our Social Inclusion Officer.
WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE ADVICE & INFORMATION?
Derwentside Homes
08458 505600 or 0800783 9295
www.derwentsidehomes.co.uk
Our staff are always available to offer advice and help on a wide range of issues, including
Rent charges
Rent arrears
Benefits advice
Floating Support
Durham County Council
01207 639693 or www.durham.gov.uk
For advice on:
Housing Benefit
Housing Options
Citizens Advice Bureau:
01207 218845
Independent financial advice
National Debt Line
Freephone 0808 808 4000
Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm
Saturday 9am – 1pm
