We are making big improvements to our Rent Payment Systems.

The team has Welfare Benefits Officers and a specialist Money Advice Officer who can help you make the most of your money, make sure you get all the benefits you are entitled to and if you are struggling - to keep your home too!

The teams led by Rent Recovery Managers, Jeremy Ascot(Essex) and Abi Akande (London), offer residents advice and help with rent, debts and benefits, and also contact residents who are in arrears.

Jeremy said

It’s important my team discuss outstanding debts with residents so we can help them pay back what they owe. We aim to support people to manage their finances as effectively as possible but we also have a responsibility to residents that regularly pay their rent on time. We need to keep debts down for the benefit of Swan residents over a long period of time.

When we take people to court the costs (currently £150) are charged back to the resident, increasing the overall debt. So it is important for residents to contact us immediately so we can offer advice and assistance and prevent court action.

Abi says:

Being in rent arrears means residents will have difficulty in being able to transfer to another home or carry out a mutual exchange if they wish to move, they can also lose other rights under their tenancy agreement and ultimately lose their home.

I often ask people what is more important – keeping your home or the possessions within it? My teams aim is to collect the debt not take their home away.

We’ve had some great successes where residents agreed repayment schedules, understanding where the debt came from and made realistic contributions to pay these off. We also have had cases where residents have sold belongings realising the importance of not being taken to court and possibly losing their home.

Since April in Essex we have evicted around one family a month which could have been avoided if contact had been made and advice given had been listened to.

See also:

• We can help! Benefits Advice
• Supported Housing

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Contact details

Essex

Call 0845 6124700 OR Contact us Directly

Jeremy Ascot’s Team:

Abi Akande’s Team:

Shafique Hamza, Welfare Benefits Officer (London) 0207 5109953
Nicola Kimber , Welfare Benefits Officer (Essex) 01268 886113

Shared Ownership and Leasehold Management 0845 6124700