OVERCOMING RENT ARREARS

Falling behind with your rent? We can help. 
Anyone can fall behind with their rent payments at some point in their lives and get into debt. It only takes a change in circumstances, such as the loss of employment, ill health, a family crisis etc. and we can all be affected. Nobody wants to be in debt, so if you are having problems in paying your rent then talk to us, we can help.

We can give you advice and support and make sure that the need for any action against you is avoided, but we need to understand what is wrong.

If you don’t act now, we won’t know what is wrong and we won’t be able to help you.
  
It is crucial that we collect every penny that is owed to us in rent. It allows us to do those essential things such as improve and maintain existing homes and build much needed new ones. It also helps us to keep rent increases down because we don’t have to make as much provision for debt. We also don’t think it is fair that good residents should have to put up with lower standards because some people will not take their obligations seriously.
  
If you are on Housing Benefit
You must let us know if you have made a claim for Housing Benefit as this will affect how we deal with arrears while you wait for your claim to be processed. We are aware that this can take a number of weeks but it is still your responsibility to chase up processing of the claim. You must also ensure that you have provided all the required details in good time otherwise your claim may not be backdated to when you made it.
  
If you are a resident who has received housing benefit before and it has stopped simply because a renewal is due then it is likely that we will take no arrears action. This is provided that there have been no problems with your housing benefit in the past, you let us know that you have completed a new form and there have been no changes in your circumstances.
  
If you are a new resident or are making a new claim because of a change in circumstances then we are likely to send arrears letters to remind you to contact the local authority. Some local authorities issue a numbered receipt when you hand in your claim form and this can be used when chasing up your claim as well as proving you have made a claim.
  
Housing benefit is usually paid in arrears. We understand this and will not take any arrears action where we are receiving either full housing benefit or regular payments of your own contribution.
  
Firm Action Against Unpaid Rent
Where rent is unpaid and people do not show any commitment to addressing the problem then we have no option but to take firm action.

This can mean some or all of the following:

• Attending court to explain why you have not paid your rent. 
• A court order requiring you to pay your rent.
• A court order requiring your employer to deduct rent and arrears  from your wages.
• Your name on the Register of County Court judgements. (This means that you will not be able to get credit, a mortgage or another tenancy).

Ultimately, it can lead to the loss of your home. Don’t let that be you!

Thankfully, it needn’t come to that if you talk to us straight away. That first chat is often the hardest part, recognising that there is a problem and taking the first steps towards sorting things out.
  
Turn to Us for Help!
If you have a problem paying your rent, then please contact our office immediately. We have staff available who will work with you until the problem is solved. As well as giving you help and advice, we can also:

• Give you time to sort things out.
• Work out a plan for you to pay off the arrears in good time using amounts you can afford.

If I do get in touch with MHA what kind of response will I get?
Many people fear that contacting us about a debt problem will result in them being ‘told off’ or given a ‘hard time’. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We set high standards of customer service and none more so when dealing with people who have approached us seeking help to solve a problem. Together, we can usually ‘nip problems in the bud’ which makes life better for both of us. Customers will be spoken to with respect, care and consideration and in a manner which we all have the right to expect.

Remember, if you have a problem paying your rent – we can help you, we just need to know about it.  

Other Agencies Can Also Help

There are also a number of other ways in which you can get help with your rent debt problem if you don’t want to contact MHA directly. You can contact:

Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)
Details of your nearest CAB office will be listed in the local telephone book and Yellow Pages. CAB’s professionally trained staff can give you impartial, free and confidential advice and information.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
This a charity which helps to release people from poverty through financial education, advice and practical help. CAP helps anyone without discrimination and has a network of centres around the country. CAP’s registered office is in Bradford, telephone 01274 200172

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
They offer free help with debt problems. CCCS will help you organise your financial budget and prioritise your debts. The service is available from Monday to Friday, 8a.m. to 8p.m. on:   free phone 0800 138 1111

National Debt Line
A free telephone service offering advice and support with debt problems. Telephone 0808 808 4000.
   
If you wish to know more, please click here

Manningham Housing Association, a specialist housing association providing accomodation for large families and diverse minority communities in Bradford and Keighley, West Yorkshire, promotes tenant involvement and regeneration of local communities in addition to providing development of new homes and services to meet the housing and support needs for the community.
Contact us for enquiries, search our available homes, view our site map or fill out an opinion survey today.