Council Tenants - Having difficulty paying your rent?

Paying your rent and other charges

You must:

• Pay your rent, heating (where this is provided) and all other property, service and support charges when they become due.
• Pay or make and keep to an arrangement to re-pay all sub account charges or debts. These are the costs of rechargeable repairs, recoverable heating (this would only apply if you live in a property with a communal heating system), water charges (this would only apply if you live in a property with a communal water meter), court costs, recoverable housing benefit and supporting people charges.
• Pay or make and keep to an arrangement to re-pay all debts relating to any former tenancy that you have had with us.

If you miss rent payments and do not keep to repayment agreements, not only have you breached your tenancy conditions, but by not paying you run the risk of losing your home. We will take action through the courts to recover the arrears. The court can:

• Make a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against you. This may affect your ability to get credit in the future including a mortgage, credit card or loan. You will also have to pay court costs on top of the rent arrears that you owe.
• Grant a Possession Order on your home which could lead to you losing your home. You could also be liable for court costs. If you are an introductory tenant, the court has very little discretion but to grant a Possession Order.

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What if I am having difficulty paying my rent?

If you are having difficulty paying your rent don't do nothing! You need to sort out debts and bills before they get worse. There are lots of ways you can make the situation easier. The first thing you should do is contact the Rent Management Service. (See contact details below). Working with a range of specialist organisations, we can provide a range of support and advice. You may also be eligible to receive help with your rent.

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Help with budgeting

It is helpful to make a list of all the money that you have coming in and going out each week. This is sometimes called a:

•  Financial statement

The Rent Management Service can help you to do this. If your expenses are more than your income, you can increase your income by:

• Claiming benefits
• Claiming tax credits
• Obtaining part time work
• Taking in a lodger (this may affect your benefit entitlement)
• Getting grown up children living at home to help with the bills

You could also cut your expenses by shopping around for cheaper deals on bills such as gas electricity, telephone and insurance. The council runs a competitive home contents insurance scheme.

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Managing your money

There are ways of spreading costs to fit in with your income so that it is easier to manage your money:

• A self help management booklet called How to deal with your debts.
• Arrange with the Rent Management Service or any Customer Service Point to pay your rent fortnightly or monthly, but remember that payments must be in advance. (See contact details below).
• Contact the Council Tax Office to re-arrange payment times.
• Gas and electricity: key or card meters, or weekly/monthly payment cards.
• Pay as you go for your phone.
• Cash Easy Entry for the TV Licence.
• Bristol Water/Wessex Water now have combined payments. Ask for fortnightly or monthly payment books. If you are on income support water charges can be taken from your benefit. You can also ask for a deduction to be made for arrears of rent and council tax.

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Thinking of borrowing money or buying on credit?

If you are considering borrowing money or buying on credit make sure:

• You can afford any repayments, now and in the future
• You do so through a reputable company or credit union. Do not use illegal money lenders, commonly know as loan sharks.
• You read and understand all the small print

Always ensure that you have enough money left to pay your priority bills

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What to do if you have creditors

Creditors, such a banks and loan companies, often try to persuade people to keep up their payments when they can no longer afford to do so. They can also threaten bailiffs and court action. In times of hardship it is often possible to persuade them to accept a lower figure. So it is important not to let them persuade you in to paying more than you can afford. If you can't persuade them to accept a lower amount and they take you to court, fill in the court forms, getting help if you wish and offer a monthly repayment that you are sure you can afford to keep up.

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Further help and advice

• Avon and Bristol Law Centre
• Age Concern
• Bristol Credit Union
• Bristol Debt Advice Centre
• Bristol MIND
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• East Bristol Advice Services  
• Housing Benefits
• National Debt Line
• Severn Four Credit Union
• Shelter
• South Bristol Advice Service
• South West Ilegal Money Lending Team (Loan Sharks)
• St Paul's Advice Centre
• Tenant Support Service
• Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service

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Contact us

If you have a query relating to paying your rent you can contact the Rent Management Service by:

Email: rent.management@bristol.gov.uk

Telephone: 0117 922 2200

Textphone: 0117 357 4444

Fax: 0117 353 2359

In Person:  You can speak to someone face to face by telephoning the Rent Management Service and ask for an appointment or you can visit any Customer Service Point

By Letter: Rent Management Service (NethHO), PO Box 595, Bristol, BS99 2AW

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am - 8.00pm

You can pay your rent 24 hours a day online, using our automated telephone payment line or by text.

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