What if I get into arrears?
Difficulties in paying your rent
We recognise that in the current economic climate household budgets are coming under increasing pressure. Although the vast majority of tenants comply with their Tenancy Agreement and do pay their rent on time, there are a small number who do not. We do everything possible to help tenants who are struggling to pay their rent but we will take action to evict those who do not keep up to date with payments without good reason.
We are here to help - If you’re struggling to pay your rent or need advice, call us.
We can help by offering advice on housing benefit, other benefits to increase your income, referrals to Citizens Advice Bureau and other agencies, help with budgeting and putting you in touch with a credit union.
If you have any problems paying your rent please contact:
Derwentside Homes:
Tel: 0845 850 5600
Tenancy Income Services Officer:
Freephone: 0800 783 9295
Citizens Advice:
Tel: 01207 237858
Download our Rent Collection Policy PDF
Prevention of Rent Arrears
Every assistance will be given during your tenancy to prevent you from falling into arrears and therefore risk losing your home.
-
A Starter Tenant will be visited at least three times during the 12 month probationary period.
-
Early contact will be made if a rent payment is missed;
-
We can provide Floating Support – which is practical support to help you maintain your tenancy.
-
Referral to CAB who can offer practical advice and assistance;
Rent Incentive Scheme – a way of rewarding tenants who pay by swipe card direct debit or standing order and have a clear rent account.
We will offer you a range of rent payment methods and inform you promptly of changes to your rent accounts. Click here to find out how you can pay your rent.
Falling into Arrears
Failure to pay your rent will result in the Rent Arrears Procedure being implemented.
There are various stages to this process and the action we will take will depend on whether you have a starter or assured tenancy, more detailed information can be found in the Tenants Handbook.
Download our the Tenants' Handbook PDF
You will be contacted at each stage either in writing, by telephone or by a visit from a Tenancy Income Services Officer.
Every effort will be made at each stage for you to reduce your arrears and therefore prevent the procedure from going to the next stage.
However failure to reduce your arrears will result in court action being taken – YOU WILL THEN BE AT RISK OF LOSING YOUR HOME.
