Paying your rent over Christmas and the New Year

Rent payments during the Christmas and New Year period

Christmas is fast approaching and we know that there can be a great deal of  pressure to spend a lot on presents and entertaining over Christmas and New Year; however, rent payments must still be paid before, during and after the festive period.

Missing payments during December and January means that you will start the New Year with arrears and we will take action against you that may result in losing your home.

Odu-Dua wants to make sure that you are able to enjoy Christmas without having to worry about money problems so here are some sensible steps you can take to ensure that this Christmas you stay out of debt:

• Make sure all your priority bills are being paid – including rent, gas, electricity, water and council tax.  It is a condition of your tenancy that your rent is paid in advance and in full at all times.  The best way to pay your rent is by standing order from your bank account.
• Make sure that you inform the relevant authorities such as Department of Work and Pensions and Housing Benefit department of any change in circumstances that may affect your benefit entitlement and do so promptly to avoid any overpayments which you will then need to repay.
• Decide how much you can afford to spend at Christmas in advance and stick to it – you will still then be able to make payments on essential bills such as rent.
• If you are in debt and want general advice on your debt then you can contact one of these organisations:

National Debt Line on: 0808 808 4000 or at: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Money Advice Service on: 0300 500 5000 or at: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Step Change on: 0800 138 1111 or at: www.stepchange.org

Pay Plan on; 020 3411 0273 or at: www.payplan.com

Your Local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or at: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

The Money Charity on: 020 7062 8933 or at: www.themoneycharity.org.uk

 If you wish to discuss your rent account or this letter in more detail please phone Diana Duncan, Housing Officer.

 Jyotika Patel, Operations Manager