Rent arrears and debt advice
Contents:
1. Current tenants
If you're finding it hard to pay your rent, please call us on?01395 517444?or email?housingrental@eastdevon.gov.uk. We’ll talk with you privately and try to help.
We can give you advice and support to stop rent problems from getting worse. If needed, we can visit you at home—usually within two working days.
If you don’t earn much money, you might be able to get?Housing Benefit?or?Universal Credit?to help pay your rent. You can find out more about Housing Benefit on our website . For Universal Credit, visit: Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK
What happens if you don’t pay your rent
We try to help people avoid losing their homes. But if rent isn’t paid, here’s what we do:
Step 1: We contact you
We’ll try to call, text, or email you. We’ll also send letters and information about getting help with money. You might get a home visit too.
Step 2: We send a legal notice
If you don’t respond, we may send you a legal notice. This will either be a Notice of Seeking Possession (if you have a secure or flexible tenancy), a Notice of Seeking Possession – Introductory Tenancy (if you have an introductory tenancy), or a Notice to Quit (if you have a non-secure tenancy). This is the first step in taking back your home. You’ll have at least?28 days?to pay what you owe or agree to pay in smaller amounts.
Step 3: We go to court
If the debt gets worse, we’ll ask the court for permission to take back your home. This is called a Possession Order.
Step 4: Court decision
The judge may let you stay in your home if you agree to pay your rent and a bit extra each week to clear the debt. This is called a Suspended Possession Order. We’ll also ask the court to add legal costs (over £400) to your rent debt.
Step 5: Eviction
If you don’t follow the court’s rules, we’ll ask the court to tell bailiffs to take back your home. This is called a Possession Warrant
Please don’t ignore the problem. We want to help you stay in your home. Talk to us as soon as you can.
2. Garage tenants
Garage rent is low, but it still needs to be paid. If you don’t pay your rent, we will send you a letter telling you to leave the garage, usually within 7 days. This is called a?notice to quit.
After the notice period, if the rent still isn’t paid, we will?change the locks?and take back the garage.
3. Former tenants
If you move out of a council home and still owe rent, we will try to get that money back.
We might ask the?county court?to make a decision about the debt. The court will tell you how much to pay and when. This is called a?County Court Judgement. It can make it harder for you to borrow money in the future, like getting a loan or credit card.
We might also ask the court to take money straight from your wages. This is called an?Attachment of Earnings Order. Your boss will take money from your pay to help clear the debt.
We also work with a?debt collection company. We pass the debt to the company and they will contact you directly to retrieve the debt. They are very good at getting unpaid rent back.
It’s better to talk to us and agree a way to pay the debt. If you don’t, it could affect your chances of getting a home with another council or housing group in the future.
If you’re struggling with money and rent debt, please contact us. We’ll talk with you privately and try to help. We can give advice and support to stop the problem from getting worse.
4. Debt advice
If you don’t pay your rent, you could lose your home. The money you owe is called?rent arrears. Rent arrears are very serious. You should deal with them quickly.
In the UK,?debt advice is free. If you’re in debt, don’t ignore it and try not to worry. There are people who can help you. They can:
- Check if you can get more money or benefits
- Help you fill in forms
- Show you how to manage your money
There’s also a new government scheme called?Breathing Space. It gives you time to sort out your debts. You can get this help by talking to a debt advice service.
Need Help? Call Us
You can call us on?01395 517444?and we’ll help you speak to a free and independent debt advice service.
Or you can contact one of these organisations directly:
National Debtline
Free advice about debt problems
Call: 0808 808 4000
Website:?www.nationaldebtline.org
StepChange Debt Charity
Help with debt plans and budgeting
Call: 0800 138 1111
Website:?www.stepchange.org
PayPlan
Free debt advice and plans
Call: 0800 316 1833
Website:?www.payplan.com
Citizens Advice
Help with benefits, housing, and debt
East Devon: 01395 265070
National line: 0800 144 8848
Website:?www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Money Helper
Government help with money problems
Call: 0800 138 7777
Website:?www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
Free legal help for some people
Call: 0345 345 4345 (Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm)
Website:?www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Universal Credit
For new or existing claims
Honiton & Exeter Job Centres: 0800 169 0190 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Website:?www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Remember, you’re not alone. Help is available, and it’s free.