Council tenants - having difficulty paying your rent?

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Introduction

If you are having difficulty paying your rent, or are struggling with bills and debt don't ignore it. Contact the Rent Management Service as soon as possible.

The Rent Management Service work with a range of benefit and debt advice agencies in Bristol. We can make direct referrals or let you know of local drop in sessions.

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Help with budgeting

Increase your income

  • If you are on a low income you may be entitled to housing and council tax benefit. You do not have to be in receipt of income support or jobseekers allowance. To claim:
  • Claim benefits (external website)
  • Claim tax credits (external website)
  • Obtain part time work (external website)
  • Take in a lodger (this may affect your benefit entitlement).
  • Get grown up children living at home to help you with the bills.

Reduce your outgoings

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Managing your money

  • There are ways of spreading costs to fit in with your income, so that it is easier to manage your money:
    • Arrange with the Rent Management Service or any Customer Service Point to pay your rent fortnightly or monthly. Remember that you must pay in advance.
    • Contact council tax  to re-arrange payment times.
    • Gas and electricity: key or card meters, or weekly/monthly payment cards.
    • Pay as you go for your phone.
    • Cash Easy Entry for your TV Licence (external website).
    • Bristol Water and Wessex Water now have combined payments (external website). Ask for fortnightly or monthly payment books. If you are on income support water charges can be taken from your benefit. You can also ask for a deduction to be made for arrears off rent and council tax.
    • If you are in receipt of income support or job seekers allowance, employment support allowance or pension credit you can ask the Department for Work and Pensions for a weekly deduction to be made from your benefit. This is to pay towards rent, council tax and water charge arrears.
  • For tips and advice on managing your money please read the making the most of your money booklet (pdf, 0.7 MB).
  • For advice on setting up a basic bank account please read our budget planner and basic bank accounts leaflet (pdf, 290 KB).
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Thinking of borrowing money or buying on credit?

  • If you are considering borrowing money or buying on credit make sure:
    • you can afford any repayments, now and in the future.
    • you do so through a reputable company or credit union. Do not use illegal money lenders, commonly know as loan sharks.
    • you read and understand all the small print.
  • Always ensure that you have enough money left to pay your priority bills such as your rent.
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What to do if you have creditors

  • Creditors, such as banks and loan companies may:
    • try to persuade people to keep up their payments when they can no longer afford to do so.
    • threaten bailiffs and court action.
  • In times of hardship it is often possible to persuade them to accept a lower figure. If you can't persuade them to accept a lower amount and they take you to court, you should:
    • seek help from a debt advice agency.
    • fill in the court forms, giving details of your financial situation, especially your income and essential expenses.
    • offer a monthly repayment that you are sure you can afford to keep up after you have paid your essential expenses, such as your rent.
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Further information

Credit unions

Local advice services

National advice services

Contact information

Rent Management Service

PO Box 595 (SAH)

Bristol, BS99 2AW

Opening Hours

Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm

You can speak to someone face to face by telephoning the Rent Management Service and ask for an appointment or you can visit any of the Customer Service Points

Date for review:  16/06/2012 | Short link: http://www.bristol.gov.uk/node/4171
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