DEBT PROBLEMS
If you don't pay your rent this is a breach of the conditions of
your Tenancy Agreement and we will quickly let you know when this
happens!
Remember your rent pays for the services we
provide and these will deteriorate if we don't collect all the rent
due to us.
Ultimately you could lose your home if you
don't pay your rent but we want to avoid this wherever possible. If
you have problems please contact the Income Recovery
Team to discuss how we can help you sort these out.
- Are you finding it hard to make ends meet?
- Are you struggling to pay your rent?
- Are you at risk of losing your job?
- Have your working hours reduced?
- Is the Credit Crunch affecting you?
- Are you under pressure from credit card and debt collection
companies?
A1 Housing are here to help with Debt, here are
a list of options available:
Self Referral for Debt / Benefit Advice
If you would like to makea referral please fill
in your details below:
Money Problems
If you need help with Debt
Problems or Managing your Money please call A1 Housing's Money
Advisor, Laura Davies on 01909 533744 Monday to Thursday OR send
the form above to make a Self Referral
Debt Relief Orders
Debt Relief Orders provide debt relief, subject
to some restrictions. They are suitable for people who do not own
their own home, have little surplus income and assets and less than
£15,000 of debt.
An order lasts for 12 months. In that time
creditors named on the order cannot take any action to recover
their money without permission from the court. At the end of the
period, if your circumstances have not changed you will be freed
from the debts that were included in your order. Debt Relief Orders
do not involve the courts.
More information can be obtained at
http://debtrelieforder.org.uk/commonly-asked-debt-relief-order-questions
Get Free, Confidential and Independent Advice
If you would like advice regarding money problems
contact your local Bassetlaw Citizens Advice Bureau for independent
and impartial advice and they will help you to:
- Negotiate with A1 Housing if you owe us rent arrears or any
other debts
- Sort out other debt and money problems
- Make sure you're getting all of your benefit entitlements
Have you been bitten by a Loan Shark?
- Are you behind with rent or bills because you are paying loan
sharks?
- Have you got a loan but not signed any paperwork?
- Have you been offered a loan without a credit check?
- Are you paying back a lot more than the loan?
- Are you unsure how much you owe or how many more payments you
have to make?
- Have you or your family been thretened as a result of not
making payments, including threats of violence or damage to
property?
A loan shark is an unlicensed money lender, so
you may not have to pay back the loan, and the loan shark, if
prosecuted, could go to prison.
If you're concerned about loan sharks call the
local Illegal Money Lending Team, in confidence, on 0115 581 0351.
For more information see the Government's
website.
Practical Advice
We have also produced a practical advice
booklet which you can downloaded by clicking here.
You can also contact National Debtline - a free
telephone advice helpline on how to deal with debt problems
Examples of tenants we have helped
Case 1
Problem
A tenant had been in hospital for some time and
because of the nature of his illness was physically unable to
return to his property. As he was not living at the property, and
was unable to return, his housing benefit entitlement had stopped
and rent arrears were accruing.
What we did
The Income Recovery Team, on behalf of the
tenant, questioned Housing Benefit’s decision to stop paying the
rent on his current property whilst more suitable accommodation was
found.
Result
Housing Benefits reversed their decision and
awarded a credit which cleared the arrears. In addition, the tenant
was successfully re-housed.
Case 2
Problem
A couple in supported housing were unsure
whether they would qualify for housing benefit and supporting
people subsidy They were unable to access the Council offices as
the female tenant cared for her disabled husband.
What we did
A member of the Income Recovery Team visited
the couple at home and undertook a Housing Benefit calculation,
which determined that the couple would be entitled. Housing Benefit
and Supporting People Subsidy forms were completed with them, and
all evidence required to process the claim was verified.
Result
The claim was processed within a very short
time and was successfully awarded at full entitlement.
Additionally, the claim was backdated and the tenants received a
substantial credit, which was refunded to them.
Case 3
Problem
An elderly tenant contacted the Income Recovery
Team for assistance in completing a housing benefit Change of
Circumstance form as her husband had recently passed away.
What we did
An Income Recovery Officer visited the tenant
at home and assisted with the completion of the appropriate forms.
As the tenant was very worried about how she would pay her
husband’s funeral fees a further home visit was made to assist the
tenant in completing Funeral Payment and Bereavement Funding
forms.
Result
The tenant was successful in her Housing
Benefit application and also secured funding towards her husband’s
funeral and other expenses.