Rent Query

What should I do if I have trouble paying my rent?

We understand that paying rent can sometimes be difficult if you are on a low income or have money problems. Here is a guide of what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.

Don't panic! Contact us and ask to meet with your patch officer to discuss your account. It is often possible to make an arrangement to pay your arrears by instalments. If you keep to an arrangement like this, no further action will be taken.

Do I get all the benefits I am entitled to?

Many people do not realise they can claim benefits. You can ask our Welfare Benefits Advisor if they can do a benefit wealth check - it costs nothing to ask for help. Contact our Welfare Benefits Advisor.

Alternatively you can contact the Herefordshire Council's Housing and Council Tax Benefit Department direct on (01432) 260333 or at their offices at Garrick House, Widemarsh Street, Hereford.

You can also use the Benefits Calculator.

What if I am struggling with more than one debt?

If you have several debts, contact us for a direct referral to the Citizens Advice Bureau or if you prefer to contact them directly you can do so on (01432) 377599. They will make an appointment to see you at their offices with a view to helping you to make payment arrangements with your creditors.

You could also contact The National Debt Line who offer free, confidential, independent advice on FREEPHONE 0808 808 4000 or visit the website www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Where else can I get help?

If you are still worried and want to talk to someone else, contact the Welfare Rights Office for advice on all aspects of housing and welfare benefits. You can contact them on (01432) 363756 or at their office: St. Nicholas Street, Hereford, HR4 0DD.

If I can pay but don't...

Herefordshire Housing Ltd, will take every step needed to recover rent from tenants who don't have a genuine reason for arrears.

We will send letter to all our tenants in arrears. DO NOT ignore these letters.

If you do not clear the arrear or contact us to speak to your Patch Officer immediately to make a suitable repayment arrangement we will serve a Notice of Seeking Possession (NSP). The NSP stays in place for one year and can then be renewed if there is still an arrear outstanding. Four weeks after the NSP is served, if you have failed to make and maintain a repayment arrangement or clear the arrears in full, your Patch Officer will apply to the court for a Possession Order. The court costs of £150.00 will be added to your arrears.

We will continue to write to you and visit you to try to discuss your arrears with you and, if you have not done so, you must make contact with your Patch Officer. If you are not sure who to talk to, contact the Income Services Team. Your Patch Officer will confirm the date of the Court Hearing to you in writing. It is very important that you attend any Court Hearing to present your case.

If you do not make contact and make an arrangement to pay your arrears, Herefordshire Housing will ask the Court to grant a Possession Order. We will then apply to the County Court Baliff for an Eviction Warrant. This gives us the right to send a baliff to evict you from your home. The Court may decide to postpone the Possession Order if, for example you make an offer to the court to pay by instalment.

A postponed Possession Order will stay in force until all arrears and the court costs are paid in full. If you miss any payments we will apply to the Court for the District Judge to look at your case and either request a hearing or grant outright possession to us.

If you are Evicted Herefordshire Housing will continue to take action to recover the amount owed.

Where you can find us
Head Office: Herefordshire Housing Ltd. Legion Way, Hereford, HR1 1LN. Tel. 01432 384000 Fax. 01432 384198	City Centre Office: One-Stop Shop 84-86 Widemarsh Street, Hereford, HR4 9HG. Tel. 01432 346070 Fax. 01432 346089	South Wye Office: Jubilee Court Community Facility Kilvert Road, Newton Farm, Hereford, HR2 7FE. Tel. 01432 346091 Fax. 01432 379260