When you signed your tenancy agreement you will have been advised of how much you will need to pay every week.

Transcription

1 My Rent

2 Paying your rent When you signed your tenancy agreement you will have been advised of how much you will need to pay every week. Your rent will include an amount for the basic rental of the property plus any service/support charges relevant to that property. Generally your rent is used to pay for the services that we provide such as carrying out repairs, improvements such as new kitchens and bathrooms and paying for our staff. To pay your rent you will be issued with a Rent Payment Card. To get a new card please contact our Customer Service Centre on

3 It is your responsibility to pay the rent and there are a number of things you should be aware of:- Your rent is due on Monday of each week and we must receive payment by 5pm on the Friday of that week If you wish to pay your rent at any other time during the month, then it must be paid in advance If you owe rent, this is called rent arrears. Owing rent arrears could have a serious effect on your tenancy and could result in you losing your home. This leaflet contains information on how we can help if you get difficulties with paying your rent 3

4 Payment methods Rent Direct Housing Benefit is one of many ways to pay rent. Rent Direct is a method by which we receive Housing Benefit payments from Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC). To contact BCBC regarding a claim please telephone Remember it is your responsibility to ensure that your Housing Benefit claim is being paid to V2C for your rent. Direct Debit You can contact us to arrange a Direct Debit over the telephone or in person at the Customer Service Centre. Payments can be made from your bank or building society account weekly, fortnightly, four weekly or monthly with a collection date to suit you. Alternatively you can contact your bank and set up a standing order. Payments are collected in advance. Online Visit our website on: to make a payment online using a debit card at Allpay s secure site. 4

5 Post Office You can pay your rent or charges at any Post Office with cash or debit card using your Rent Payment Card. Local shops Using your Rent Payment Card you can pay with cash or Debit card at shops displaying the Allpay or Paypoint signs. Telephone Payments can be made by Debit card via the Automated Allpay system by calling: hours a day or by calling our Rents team on am to 5pm Monday to Friday. At the Customer Service Centre Payments can be made with cash or cheque at our Customer Service Centre, Tremains Business Park, Tremains Road, Bridgend, open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Post You can send a cheque or postal order, no cash please, to: Valleys to Coast Tremains Business Park Tremains Road Bridgend CF31 1TZ Please write your name, address and account number on the reverse of the cheque or postal order. 5

6 What will we do to help prevent arrears? We will: Explain rent accounts clearly to all new customers Advise you about what could happen if you do not pay your rent Send out rent statements quarterly Discuss issues sympathetically and confidentially We can: Arrange an appointment to discuss your account with a trained member of staff Provide details of other agencies where you can get independent legal advice Arrange an appointment with our Money Matters team who can help with debt advice Provide details of other agencies who may be able to help with general budgeting support On your request provide you with information in different formats Please remember that unpaid rent could prevent you from being housed by any other landlords. Details of the debt may also be given to a mortgage company or other housing providers. 6

7 How we will deal with rent arrears We will: Make every effort to contact you by letter and in person, giving you a named contact and telephone number Try to reach you using different methods including telephone, visits, text and Offer an opportunity for independent advice if you wish Always give warnings and notice if we are going to start court action Pursue debt until you repay what is owed using all resources available including court orders and if necessary, eviction If you do get into arrears please do not ignore the problem, please contact us as we will always try to find a way to help you. Former tenant arrears If you leave our property owing rent arrears, we will continue to pursue the debt and may use any or all of the following methods: Telephone calls, text messages and Letters sent to your new or last known address Contact family members or employers Enforce existing court orders by seeking deductions from your salary or state benefits or asking a court appointed Bailiff to visit Engage the services of a debt collection agency 7

8 Valleys to Coast Housing Customer Service Centre Tremains Business Park Tremains Road Bridgend CF31 1TZ Tel: Visit our website: V2C will do what is reasonable to provide this information in alternative formats on request, including audio tape, large print and translations. If we encounter difficulties in meeting your request, we will discuss the best solution with you.