Rent Arrears (Council tenants)

Castle Point Borough Council treats rent arrears very seriously. Whilst every consideration is given to people who are having genuine difficulty our first priority is to collect the rent we are owed so we can provide the services that are needed.

The Council views evictions as a last resort and would rather help tenants to keep their homes; however there is a statutory duty to collect all rent due. This means that when all else fails we will evict tenants who have not paid their rent. If you are evicted for rent arrears, the Council will not have a duty to re-house you, even if you have a family.

The Council relies on rental income to pay for the services that it provides to its tenants. The rent that its tenants pay does not pay for any other services that the Council provides other than housing services. Housing is like a separate business within the Council and it therefore needs the rent to make the business work

 

What happens if you get into rent arrears?

If you fall into arrears, we will be sympathetic and allow repayment of those arrears by instalments. However, it is important that you make contact with the Housing Managment & Rents Team. The Housing Management & Rents Officer will try to help you find a way to solve the problem and can refer to a debt advice agency.

You can also get advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau  www.citizensadvice.org.uk

We can only help if you contact us to let us know what the problem is. If arrears continue to rise, and we can see no prospect of that changing, despite efforts to contact you and make arrangements to repay the arrears, then you will be taken to court.

First we send warning letters to tenants in rent arrears, then a Notice of Seeking Possession followed by court action. The Notice of Seeking Possession is the first step to you losing your home. If necessary, we will evict.

 

Dos and Don’ts!

• Don’t ignore your arrears.
• Don’t ignore letters from the council.
• Do what the letters ask you.
• If you have problems - contact us.
• Not paying your rent can lead to you losing your home.
• If a joint tenant leaves - the remaining tenant is still responsible for all of the rent.

 

Contact us

For further information please contact the Housing Management & Rents Team by:

Completing this simple on line form Form - Housing Rents Balance/Statement

Email: tenancyofficers@castlepoint.gov.uk

By Letter: Castle Point Borough Council, Rent Arrears Team, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1TF

You can also pay your rent by ringing 03300 576 170 to use our automated service, which is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Mobile charges may apply. Please remember we do not issue receipts for credit/debit card payments.

Remember - Rent First Please!