 I am an introductory tenant. What does this mean? How is my rent calculated? What happens if I cannot pay my rent? How can I pay my rent? Can I change the way I pay my rent? How can I clear my debt to the Council? How can I get a new rent giro book? I need a replacement rent card. How do I get a new one? I would like a statement of my rent account. How can I get one? Am I entitled to rent reductions? I need to know exactly how much rent I owe? I am behind with my rent payments, what will the Council do. If I owe rent, what will the Council do? Will the Council re-house me if I am evicted?
I am an introductory tenant. What does this mean?
Unless you are transferring from a secure tenancy, you will start your tenancy as an 'introductory tenant'. Your introductory tenancy will last for one year. If you do not break any of the tenancy conditions during this time, you will automatically become a 'secure tenant'. If, during your introductory tenancy, you break any of the tenancy conditions, we will take action to end your tenancy. By law, during your introductory tenancy, you do not have the same rights as a 'secure tenant'. You cannot do the following:-
The Housing Overview And Scrutiny Committee decided at the meeting on 18th January 2007 that an average rent increase of £6.32 per week was required to maintain services, but subject to no decreases and a maximum limit on increases of 8% and distributed in accordance with the latest property market rental valuations. The basis for Council rents is set out within the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 which requires that the Council should have regard to the principle that rent levels be in proportion to private sector rents. This means that rents should not only allow for size but also location. Additionally the Council is required to ensure that the income received covers its expenditure.
It is important that you keep your rent account up-to-date, failing which you run the risk of losing your home. As soon as you know that you are having difficulties paying your rent, you should contact the Rent Collection Service immediately either: by telephone on (020) 8871 8987 or by letter, to: Wandsworth Council, Remember that your home is at risk if you do not keep up-to-date with your rent payments.
There are a number of options available to you for paying your rent. Ways to pay your rent.
Yes. It's quite easy to do that. Please refer to the previous FAQ for more information.
You need to speak to your Rent Collection Officer immediately. You can either contact the Rent Collection Service on (020) 8871 8987 or you can email your request for an appointment to them at rents@wandsworth.gov.uk.
If you pay your rent at the Post Office or Bank and you have mislaid your Giro book or you wish to change to this method, you can either contact the Rent Collection Service on (020) 8871 8987 or by email at rents@wandsworth.gov.uk to request a book.Please have ready your name, address and rent account number to help us identify you as a tenant. We have recently introduced an automatic ordering facility.This will automatically order a new book before your current book runs out.
You can either contact the Rent Collection Service on (020) 8871 8987 or by email at rents@wandsworth.gov.uk to request a new card. Please have ready your name, address and rent account number to help us identify you as a tenant.
Presently you automatically receive a statement of your rent account every 4 months (usually in January, May and September) each year. However you can request a statement at any time. Either by contacting the Rent Collection Service on (020) 8871 8987, by email at rents@wandsworth.gov.uk to request a statement, specifying the period you require.You should have your name, address and rent account number to help us identify you as a tenant.Alternatively,if you access to the internet you can now view your rent account on-line. You will need to register with a valid e-mail address. If you are interested in this, please register online.
This will depend on your personal circumstances. There are a whole range of welfare benefits available and we will need to discuss your situation together in order for us to identify your needs and to determine your possible entitlement. You can arrange for a half hour appointment to discuss your situation in more detail by contacting the Housing Benefit Service on (020) 8871 8080 or email at counciltaxandbenefits@wandsworth.gov.uk. For further information please visit the council tax benefits section.
You can either contact the Rent Collection Service on (020) 8871 8987 or by email at rents@wandsworth.gov.uk to find out how much rent you owe us. Please have ready your name, address and rent account number to help us identify you as a tenant.
In the first instance the Council will write to you informing you that your rent account has fallen into arrears and request that you make payment immediately,if you are unable to make the required payment than you should contact the Rent Collection Service. The contact details will be shown on the letter that we send to you or alternatively you can contact them via this site at rents@wandsworth.gov.uk.
If you do not respond to the reminder letters that we send to you about your rent arrears. The Council will serve you with a Notice of its intention to recover possession of your home.
In the event that you are evicted you will in all probability be regarded as having made yourself intentionally homeless. This would mean that upon your eviction you and your family may be placed in temporary accommodation for a period of normally 28 days for you to find your own accommodation. The Council would then have no rehousing responsibility to you thereafter. |
