Christmas Rent debt
We want to help you stop rent arrears this year. We know that Christmas can be a busy and expensive time of year. With the costs of celebrations adding up but to protect the roof over your head and make sure you aren’t left out in the cold, you must keep paying your rent. Unsurprisingly, some tenants feel that the holiday season shifts their priorities to presents, parties and family get-togethers.
Planning ahead
Before you start buying presents and planning parties, think carefully about how much you can spend. It’s a good idea to set yourself an affordable budget. Putting a plan in place to prevent rent arrears occurring will help to ease some of the financial stress around this period. Make sure all your priority bills are being paid – rent, gas, electricity etc.
Missing rent payments in December and January means that you will start the New Year with arrears. This means we will be forced to take action to recover monies due.
Make sure you inform the Housing Benefit department if there is any change in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement to benefits and do so promptly.
Where possible, try to pay an additional week’s rent early in December. If you’ve paid an extra week of rent in advance, it removes the burden of extra financial pressure.
Paying an additional week’s rent in advance going to be a struggle? Continue paying your rent as normal, but consider adding a little extra each week in the lead up to Christmas. That way, you’ll be up to date, or even a little ahead when the festive season rolls around.
Still worried?
If you are worried about being able to pay your rent, please call our helpful Income Team on 0300 33 00 900 Option 2,2 and 2.
Get help with your rent account from Havebury
Looking for further advice on debt – click here for more information from .gov.uk
