This information can be made available in a range of languages and alternative formats such as electronic copies (for example e-mail), or in large print, Braille or audiotape. Please contact the Communications Team on
(0191) 4268370.
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Difficulties paying your rent
Rent arrears
What should I do if I am unable to pay my rent?
If you are unable to pay your rent either you or a representative need to contact us as soon as possible so we can help you.
Remember to always answer any questions we ask or reply to any letters we send asking about your rent account. We are here to help.
How we can help
If you get behind with your rent and cannot pay, we can help by giving you confidential advice and debt counselling. You can also make arrangements with us to pay the money you owe by an agreed amount each week.
What will happen if I don’t pay my rent?
If you ignore rent arrears and contact made by us to recover the arrears you may lose your home. We have a rent recovery policy which will be followed by our officers to recover all outstanding monies owed to us. Although our officers are encouraged to make personal contact with anyone with rent arrears and offer as much advice as possible, they will take legal action as appropriate.
This legal action involves serving notice seeking possession and applying to court for eviction warrants in more serious cases. If you have financial problems we can refer you to debt advice services or you can contact agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Community Legal Service.
South Tyneside Homes’ Income Team
South Tyneside Homes has a newly established Income Team focusing on reducing rent arrears and former tenant arrears ensuring all functions relating to income management are carried out to a high standard.
We are also encouraging partnership working with Welfare Rights, Housing Benefits and other agencies and we will actively network with other local authorities and housing organisations to deliver improvements in service delivery and to ensure compliance with best practice.
For more information contact the Income Team on 0191 423 4000.
Other agencies who may be able to help
Many Citizens Advice Bureau are able to deal with money advice and debt problems. If it is a very complicated case they will usually be able to refer you to a money advice specialist. This may be a solicitor or insolvency practitioner.
Help is also available through Money Advice Centres or Law Centres. The addresses and telephone numbers of Money Advice Centres and Law Centres can be found in the telephone directory.
The National Debt Line can give free information to people living in England and Wales. It also provides an information pack on dealing with debt. The line is available on Monday to Friday 9.00am to 9.00pm and on Saturday 9.30am. to 1.00pm. The National Debtline telephone number is: 0808 808 4000 and the website address is www.nationaldebtline.co.uk.
