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Developing Homes and Creating Opportunities for People within West Norfolk
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Important Information about paying your rent
There are four 'rent free' weeks each year where no rent is charged. If your account is in arrears you must still continue to make payments to reduce your balance in these weeks.
Each March you will be issued with a new payment calendar which highlights the 'free weeks'. It is the tenant(s)' responsibility to make sure that payment is made each week. You will only be issued with one plastic Allpay swipe card when you move into your property; if this card is lost please contact the Income Team immediately on (01553) 667700 for a replacement.
Rent account statements will be issued every three months from April 2008. You can also request an additional statement at any time by contacting the Income Team on (01553) 667700.
Rent Arrears
At Freebridge we understand that from time to time we may all struggle with our finances. If as a result, you are having difficulty paying your rent, the most important thing you should do is to contact your Income Officer to discuss a solution.
When you contact the Income Team we aim to help in as many ways as possible, such as:
- By discussing your circumstances sympathetically and fairly
- Setting up direct deductions from your Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance to pay your arrears
- Agreeing affordable, realistic repayment plans
- Helping you to claim Housing Benefit
- Identifying ways of maximising your income - you can also see for yourself what benefits you may be entitled to on the following website
Whilst we will try to do all that we can to help people in difficulties, if payment continues to be missed, then we have to take action in order to protect the homes of all of our tenants.
After sending letters, attempting telephone calls and personal home visits, if arrears still continue to go unpaid then we may have to serve 'Notice Seeking Possession' in order to start legal action. This may then result in a Court Order being made which forces you to move out of your home. Freebridge aim not to evict anyone from their home, however this does happen when arrears are not paid.
