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The following tells you about your rent and charges and your obligations to pay your rent. Your rent account is managed by the Rent Collection Service (RCS), and details are given of the action that will be taken by the RCS if you do not pay your rent regularly. Information is also given about the help you may be entitled to claim if you are unable to meet your housing costs and the independent agencies that you can approach for help and advice if you experience difficulties. Find out how to contact us.
These notes are intended only as a guide. They are believed to be accurate at the time of writing, but are not intended to be relied upon in the event of difficulties or disputes arising in connection with your Rent/Tenancy. If you have any dispute you should seek independent legal advice.
There are three types of residential tenancy: -
Introductory tenancy The legislation governing introductory tenancies is strict. If you break any of the regulations you will lose your home. One of the conditions is that you must not have arrears of rent on your account. If you do get into arrears and your case goes to court an order for possession has to be awarded by the Judge. Secure tenancy Non-secure tenancy
For more details about your type of tenancy, see the 'Tenancy Conditions' booklet. Non-residential tenancies
When you sign the agreement for your council property, you have entered into a legal contract with Wandsworth Council. You have signed not only agreeing to the tenancy conditions, but also to accepting the responsibility for ensuring the full rent charge is paid. The amount you are charged can be broken down into several elements, which are: - Net Rent The amount of rent for your property Water Rate The amount we collect on behalf of Thames Water to cover the water supply to your taps and the sewerage collection. H/HW Heating and Hot Water charge. The amount charged for hot water and the heating supplied to your property if you are linked to a central boiler. Gross Rent The total of all the charges shown on your rent card before any Housing Benefit is deducted. Service Charges:- NOTE – If you live in a property benefiting from communal services, you may notice that an amount for service charges is shown separately. In the past, service charges have been included within the rent, but the Government has asked local authorities to identify service charges separately. So the service charges for block cleaning, communal electricity and hire of refuse containers, where applicable, have been taken out of the rent and shown as separate items. This separation makes no difference to the total amount you have to pay, and if you are on housing benefit you will receive your full entitlement for both the rent and service charges. The charges are weekly, but we collect the charges every two weeks. This means that half of those who pay rent pay one week (A week payers) and the other half the next week (B week payers). When your account is set up you will be sent a printed label which will show your weekly charges. Stick this on the front of your rent card. Our rent cards show your payment dates clearly down the side. You should pay two weeks rent in your payment week. There are other ways to pay your rent e.g. standing order through your bank, giro-book, telephone, internet. Our 'Paying Rent in Wandsworth' booklet will tell you more. Rent should not be paid in arrears. Every quarter you will be sent a statement. This will show your personal account number, and a breakdown of all your current weekly charges. It will also show all payments you have made and if applicable, any housing benefit paid to your account. If you miss payments you will automatically be sent a letter to remind you to keep your payments up to date. If you default on rent payments the Council will serve a 'Notice of Seeking Possession'. The type of notice served will depend on the type of tenancy you hold. When this expires the Council will go to Court to ask for Possession of the premises. Please note, the Council will seek eviction for non-payment of rent. For further information on what to do if you get into arrears see the section on 'Experiencing Difficulties'. If your rent cannot be met from your income, you may be entitled to help to pay it. This is called 'Housing Benefit' or 'Rent Rebate'. Please refer to the section on Housing Benefit for further information and how to claim.
Non-residential charges
As a tenant you will receive a rent card, rent label(s) and regular rent statements.
The Benefits section of this site fully explains Housing and Council Tax Benefits including how to find out if you qualify for benefits and how to make a claim. Visit the Benefits section of the site.
If you are having difficulty paying your rent and charges, the Rent Collection Service will help you find a way to clear your arrears by paying extra each week. An Officer will be happy to discuss this with you. Do not wait until you are in serious rent arrears, but contact the Rent Collection Service as soon as you feel you have a problem. This way, the sum owed will be small and you will be able to clear it quickly. The aim is to ensure that you and your family stay in your home and do not get evicted. The Rent Collection Service can give advice on the easiest way to pay, and can also help by advising you of any other welfare benefits you may be entitled to but have not been claiming. If you qualify, this will increase your available income. The message is, do not delay, ring today on (020) 8871 8987 or, Visit the Finance Reception Service For your information Secure tenants
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These costs can be substantial. NB: - Once an Absolute Order is obtained or if you break the terms of the Suspended Possession Order, you will lose your Secure Tenancy and the rights that go with it and become a 'Tolerated Trespasser'. You can only recover your status as a Secure Tenant by application to the County Court. Introductory tenants
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NB: - Once there is a court order against you for rent arrears your Introductory Tenancy ceases and you become a 'Tolerated Trespasser'. As an introductory tenant who has become a 'Tolerated Trespasser' you cannot apply to the Court to ask for your tenancy to be re-instated. You can only regain the status of a 'tenant' if the Council is prepared to grant a new introductory tenancy.
More detailed information and advice can be obtained from the Rent Collection Service and The Council Tax and Benefits Service Rent Collection Service Telephone: (020) 8871 8987
You can also visit the: Finance Reception Service To make an appointment telephone (020) 8871 7691
Your complaints, comments, and compliments are important to us. Please complete this form as fully as possible, explaining why you are dissatisfied or pleased with the service or response you have received. If it's a complaint, please tell us what you would like us to do to put it right. Find out how to make a complaint about our services or use the online form to make a complaint, compliment, comment or suggestion. |
