Paying Your Rent

Knowes Housing Association is a non profit making registered charity. Most of our revenue income comes from rents and any surplus income each year is invested in our repairs and maintenance programme. It is therefore essential that arrears are kept to a minimum.

It is the aim of Knowes Housing Association to act to prevent rent arrears building up. We will recover any arrears fairly and effectively in accordance with our policy.

The objective of the Association's policy is to minimise loss of rental income by prompt, effective management, recovery and control of arrears and to provide a service to tenants whereby they are given advice and assistance to maximise their income and minimise their debt, particularly in relation to rent arrears.

Having Difficulty Paying Your Rent?

There are many reasons why you should avoid falling behind with your rent:-

• You may not be allowed to transfer to another Association property
• You may not be allowed to exchange houses with another tenant
• You will not receive a satisfactory reference from the Association if you want to move to another tenancy with a different landlord, or take out a mortgage or loan on a property
• You may lose your home

We are aware however that people can at times experience difficulties that result in problems making rent payments, and we are here to help.

What Should I Do If I Have Rent Arrears?

Contact us and agree a suitable repayment agreement

Contact your Housing Officer immediately if you are having difficulties paying your rent. Your Housing Officer can arrange for you to repay your arrears by instalments over a period of time. The repayment arrangement will take account of your household income and any other financial commitments you may have.  Your instalment payments can be made on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Housing Benefit

If you are facing difficulties paying your rent, either because your income is low or you have had to stop work you may be entitled to receive Housing Benefit towards your rent.

If you think that you may be entitled, you should complete a Housing Benefit application form (available from our office) and return it to either ourselves or the Council Offices at Rosebery Place, Clydebank.  Our staff can help you complete a form.

It is worthwhile making an application even if you are unsure whether you are eligible.  The amount of Housing Benefit you will get will depend on your income and your family circumstances.

Welfare Rights Advice - Debt Counselling

Knowes Housing Association work in partnership with Faifley Housing Association and the Independant Resource Centre who provide welfare benefits advice and debt counselling.

The Welfare Rights Officer can offer you advice and assistance to maximise your income, apply for Housing Benefit or appeal against a Housing Benefit decision which you disagree with.  Your Housing Officer can refer you to this service or you can contact the Welfare Rights Officer directly, either at Independent Resource Centre, 627 Dumbarton Road or by telephoning 0141 951 4040. Two surgeries are held within Faifley, one on a Wednesday 10am-3pm held at Knowes Housing Association, the other is held at Faifley Housing Association on a Thursday afternoon.

Rent Arrears – Legal Action

If you don’t contact us about missed rent payments or don’t keep to your repayment arrangement, you will have serious rent arrears.  The Association will then take legal action against your tenancy.  This means we will ask the Sheriff Court for an order which makes you pay back the rent arrears and may also allow us to evict you from your home.

Ways To Pay Your Rent

Rent is due monthly in advance. You can pay your rent and/or arrears in whichever of the following ways suit you best:-

• Credit or Debit cards either by phoning or in person
• Bank Standing Order
• Cheque by post
• Cash or cheque at our office
• Housing Benefit
• Deductions from your Income Support in respect of rent arrears.

Useful Contacts

However, where rent arrears are at a high level, we may insist that payment is made in a particular way.