What would happen if I don't pay my rent?
Information on the actions Swan will take if you do not pay your rent or clear your arrears.
The Association is committed to taking firm fair action against tenants who are in arrears, as those who do not pay represent a financial cost to the Association. Arrears can lead to reduced services and we need to prevent and effectively manage arrears in order to maintain our stock, provide services and respond to performance management requirements.
Our approach:
- We will be proactive in establishing direct personal contact at all stages of rent collection and arrears management.
- As well as writing to customers, we will use a variety of methods to facilitate personal contact, including office interviews, home visits, telephone contact and texts.
- We will make contact with you by writing to you if you fail to pay rent. We will also try to make personal contact, to discuss your rent account and to request payment
- Provide information on what you need to do and who and how to contact your Arrears Officer.
- We will try to agree a acceptable arrangement to clear any rent arrears
- We will offer an appointment to discuss arrears and try to make agreement with you before starting legal action
- Advise you of the amount owed, action you need to take and action that we will be taking to recover the debt.
If you don’t pay your rent or If you are unable to come to an agreement with Swan Housing Association about clearing the debt, we will start legal action to recover the debt. This could lead to you losing your home.
-
Notice of Seeking Possession - The first stage of legal action is to issue you with a Notice of Seeking Possession (NOSP). This is a legal notice telling you that we intend to take legal action after 28 days if you do not pay your arrears. This notice will give you four weeks to clear the debt or come to an agreement with us to clear it.
-
Possession Hearing - If you do not make or keep to a repayment agreement or pay the amount you owe us, then we will refer your case to court after the notice expires. We will ask for possession of your home. This means you may be evicted. It is important that you attend this hearing.
If you are evicted for rent arrears and it is decided that you have made yourself intentionally homeless, the Council has no need to rehouse you, even if you have a family.
Please note that if you are in rent arrears:
-
You will not be able to transfer to another Swan property, although under very special circumstances it may be considered.
-
You will not be able to carry out a mutual exchange as other Housing landlords will not take tenants with arrears
If you have any questions or require further information about rent arrears please contact us on 08456124700.