Paying Rent is Your Responsibility

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2 Paying Rent is Your Responsibility The rent that you pay for your home is SBHA s main source of income and we rely on this money to manage and maintain your home and provide services to Tenants. This leaflet explains the different ways to pay your rent and it also details what to do if you are finding it difficult to pay. How do I pay my rent? SBHA want to make it as easy as possible for you to pay your rent and offer 9 simple ways to keep on top of your rent. All you have to do is choose what suits you and the options are detailed in this leaflet. Please contact SBHA to arrange the best option for you, or to ask for further information on any of the 9 ways to pay.

3 What do I do if I m struggling to pay? If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent, you must contact us straight away to prevent you from going into debt with SBHA. Please call the Rent Helpline now on SBHA may be able to help you sort out the problem by: Changing weekly payments to fit in with your salary cycle, e.g. monthly. Coming to an arrangement with you which allows you to pay off your debt in instalments. Giving you advice on whether you may qualify for Housing Benefit or any other Welfare Benefits which you are not already claiming. It is important that you contact us as soon as you know there is a problem.

4 9 Different ways Direct Debit we will take the rent straight from your bank account so you don t have to worry about remembering to pay. It s easy, convenient, doesn t cost you anything and we do all the work. Internet visit our website at to pay by debit card. At a Paypoint outlet We will give all new SBHA Tenants a payment card which you can use to pay your rent at any Paypoint outlet. Post Office at any Post Office by cash or debit card. You will need your payment card with you. Housing Benefit If you receive Housing Benefit, it is your responsibility to make sure this is paid into your rent account. You can ask the Council to pay this direct to SBHA.

5 to pay your Rent At our offices you can pay over the counter at any of our offices during opening hours using cash, a debit card, cheque or postal order. By post you can post a cheque or postal order to any of our offices. Please do not send cash through the post. Over the phone you can telephone any of our offices and pay over the phone using a debit card. Standing Order you tell your bank to pay us automatically from your account each month. If the rent changes, you need to tell your bank to change the amount of the standing order. Changing method of payment If at any time you wish to change the way you pay your rent, please call us on

6 What if I don t pay my rent? When you sign your Tenancy Agreement with SBHA you agree to pay your rent in full and on time. Paying your rent is your responsibility. We follow a firm but fair procedure for failure to pay. If you don t pay or don t take action to reduce your arrears, SBHA will take action against you which could result in your case going to court and you losing your home. Since 2008, 114 SBHA Tenants have lost their home because they didn t pay their rent. If you want to move and have rent arrears that you are not reducing, you are unlikely to be offered another home with SBHA and your application for housing will be suspended from bidding. If you are due to receive a new kitchen or bathroom and have rent arrears, you will be removed from the improvement programme until you have either cleared your debt in full or have set up a repayment arrangement and adhered to it for 6 months or more.

7 How can SBHA help me? SBHA wants to work with you to keep your rent account in order and to prevent rent arrears. If you are in arrears, we will send you quarterly Rent Statements and will contact you promptly if you fail to pay. We may also visit you at your home. SBHA has a Welfare Benefits Officer who can provide you with advice on what benefits you may be entitled to in order to maximise your income. Please call the Rent Helpline on to speak to the Welfare Benefits Officer and to arrange an appointment. There are also other Agencies that can offer you advice and support and we can give you their details. To improve our services, we need your feedback, whether it is comment, compliment or complaint, please call us on to speak to a member of staff.

8 Contact SBHA by: Phoning the Rents Helpline on ing us at - enquiries@sbha.org.uk Visiting or phoning our offices at: South Bridge House, Whinfield Road, Selkirk. Tel: Church Street, Galashiels. Tel: West Port, Drumlanrig Square, Hawick. Tel: Opening Times - All offices are open: Monday-Thursday 8.45am pm Friday 8.45am pm This leaflet can be supplied in alternative languages or formats if required, e.g. in Braille, in large print, or on tape. This leaflet was developed in partnership with the Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation (SBTO) Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC030751