Rents - how to pay

North West Leicestershire District Council needs tenants to pay rent on time to help maintain the many services it provides.

The council aims to make it as easy as possible to pay rent.

We do this by providing different payment methods and offering help and advice for those with difficulties. We will also help tenants obtain benefits they may be entitled to.

What does my rent include?

The rent you pay each week includes charges for basic rent and for some properties it may also include charges heating, communal rooms,etc.

What do we use the money for?

The rent you pay goes towards providing many services including:

• An efficient Repairs Service
• Experienced and qualified employees
• Support officers to assist sheltered residents
• Housing officers to assist new and established tenants

Ways to pay your rent

For details of how to pay your rent visit our payments pages.

Help with rent

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit. You should make a claim as soon as possible, as any delay may lose you benefit. Complete and return the form with proof of your identity and all of your income recorded on the form.

Housing Benefit is usually awarded from the Monday after your claim is received.

If you are a new tenant, Housing Benefit will only be paid if you have physically moved in. Many more people are entitled to benefits than actually receive them.

Continue to make payments whilst waiting for your claim to be processed. You can discuss the amount with your Rent and Income team.

If you lose your job, or are off sick, contact the Housing Benefits section and the Dept. for Works and Pensions immediately.

Rent Arrears

What should I do if I can't pay my rent?

It is important that you contact us as soon as you start having problems paying your rent.

You should contact your Housing Officer, and remember:

• Don't ignore the problem - help is available
• Get in touch as soon as you realise you are falling behind with your rent.

What happens next?

We can discuss the problems you are facing.

We can help if you are having genuine difficulties and remember:

• We want to help
• We can offer you practical advice
• We will try and make an affordable and reasonable agreement to reduce arrears

Who else might be able to help me?

Our Housing Officers deal with rent problems. They can arrange for you to pay off your rent arrears over a period of time and remember:

• If you talk and follow their advice, the situation can be brought under control at an early stage.

• They can make a reasonable repayment agreement with you.

• They can give advice about benefits and budgeting

• They can refer you to other people who can help.

• Our Housing Officer teams are also trained to offer debt advice and you should contact them in the first instance.

I have received a letter showing I owe rent. What should I do?

You will receive a reminder letter if you owe us two weeks rent or more and have not made an agreement with us to repay it. It is important you reply within five days of recieving this letter. By doing this we can help stop your debt getting too large and remember:

• Read the letter carefully

• Do not ignore it

• Contact the sender

• We want to help

What happens if I ignore the first letter?

If you have not contacted us to make an agreement within five days of the first letter, we will send a final reminder before we take any further action. Please remember:

• Read the letter carefully

• Do not ignore it

• It's not too late - contact us

• We want to help

Will an officer call about my rent?

An officer will visit if there is no reduction in the arrears after we have written to you for the second time, or you failed to make an agreement. The officer can discuss the situation with you,give you advice and make an agreement to reduce the arrears. Please remember:

• Do not ignore the problem

• Make payments as agreed

• Contact the officer if you are unable to pay. They will help, or arrange for you to see someone who can.

Housing related debt prevention fund

The Council’s Housing Advice team has set aside a modest sum of money to help prevent repossessions or evictions for households who are struggling to pay their mortgage or rent due to the economic recession and through no fault of their own.

The Council's Housing Advice Team can provide you with more information about the scheme please speak to your housing officer for contact details.

For independent help and advice, contact:
Citizens Advice Bureau
0870 120 2402

Consumer Credit Counselling Service
0800 1381111