We expect everyone to pay their rent on time. If you can’t do this, please let us know. We are here to help. Our Income Collection Team are specialists who are well trained and very knowledgeable. They will be able to advise you about benefits, help you take control of any debts you have and make realistic arrangements with you for paying your rent.
We work closely with:
- local Councils, especially the Housing Benefit and Supporting People Departments
- Citizens Advice and other agencies that can give you independent advice about managing your money.
If you are having difficulty paying your rent, talk to us Call the Income Collection Team at Harvest Response straight away on LoCall 0345 345 0272 and talk to us. We can only help if you let us know you are having difficulty.
Anyone can fall behind with their payments at some time – it can take only a small change in your circumstances to make a difference. You may be in difficulty because you are not getting the benefits you are entitled to, or you may have other money worries. Whatever they are, please don’t ignore the problem – it won’t go away. Usually, people don’t deliberately choose to stop paying rent. But, to ensure we can maintain your home and the neighbourhoods around you, we need to collect all the rent due.
Remember that our Income Collection Team are here to help.
What we will do to help
We can:
- help you fill in any forms you need to, for example Housing Benefits forms
- give you advice on benefits you may be entitled to
- give you an estimate of the benefit you are entitled to and how much rent you will have to pay
- help you plan your budget. It is often better to spread your payments, for example paying your annual TV licence over 12 monthly instalments. We can help you plan your weekly budget so you can pay your priority bills, like your rent and Council Tax
- refer you to agencies, such as Citizens Advice, which can help you manage your arrears and other debts.
If you don’t pay your rent
We will take action if you don’t pay your rent or try to work with us to solve the problems that prevent you paying your rent.
You may:
- have to attend court to explain why you haven’t paid your rent and you may also have to pay the court costs
- receive a court order requiring you to pay your current rent plus an amount to clear the arrears
- have your name put on the register of County Court Judgments. This will mean you won’t be able to get credit, another tenancy or a loan.
If you are evicted for rent arrears, Harvest Housing Group will not rehouse you. Other housing providers, including local councils, may class you as ‘intentionally homeless’. If so, you will not be eligible to apply for a home with them. Whatever stage you have reached, it is not too late to take action. We will work with you to help you solve the problem.
Remember, if you do nothing, you could lose your home.