Advice to tenants facing rent/financial challenges

If you need any help or advice with your rent account or if you are worried about a change in circumstances due to loss of earnings, please contact us. We can also assist with income maximisation and tenancy sustainment issues. It is important you keep in touch with us if you are experiencing problems.

This document consolidates much of the guidance about how to access support for COVID-19 (here).

Please note that the government has announced emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or private rented accommodation during the coronavirus crisis. If you are worried about the short-term impact of COVID-19 on your employment then you can contact the PACE helpline on 0800 917 8000.

Should you find yourself with no income due the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), if you do not already claim benefits, you may be eligible to apply for Universal Credit to help you pay your rent. You can find out more about Universal Credit and eligibility: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

There is also further information for people affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19), including information about eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefitclaimants-and-businesses

If you currently pay your rent in cash, we would ask that you consider making alternative arrangements in the meantime e.g. card payments or online payments. We may contact you to discuss this further.

If you are self-isolating or recovering from Coronavirus (COVID-19), this will mean you may not be able to leave your home. This can be a problem if you have a pre-payment meter, which requires you to go to the shop to top-up. Different energy suppliers will have their own ways of dealing with this. If you or anyone in your home has any underlying health conditions, you should also contact your energy supplier to let them know. They will add you to the Priority Service Register, which will give you extra support should you need it. If you are self-isolating, you should contact your energy company as soon as you become aware of an issue to do with your prepay meter, as some of the solutions can take a few days. Other advice on energy related issues can also be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-energysupply.