The Trust's Rent Arrears Policy (Summary)

In Controlling rent arrears, The Trust adopts the following approach:

• Adopt a firm, consistent, sympathetic non threatening approach;
• Look at the whole picture of a tenants indebtedness;
• Take early action in every case.
• Commence court action if no arrangement has been made to clear the arrears or arrangements have been broken.
• Take legal action where appropriate to recover the arrears
• Make eviction a last resort.

In Prevention of rent arrears, the Trust adopts the following approach:

• Offer to assist with the completion of housing benefit forms. The Trust works in partnership with Torbay Council to verify housing benefit claims.
• Publicise tenant information written in plain english.
• Make personal contact with new tenants within four weeks of start of tenancy.

In the case of vulnerable tenants, the Trust will adopt the following approach:

• Be aware of language and literacy difficulties and take appropriate action where necessary.
• Offer the use of in house support services where tenants are in agreement..

In our efforts to maximise the income of our tenants, the Trust will adopt the following approach:

• Where possible, attempt to maximise tenants' income by offering assistance with welfare benefits and advice on managing debts (if necessary, refer to local CAB).
• Ensure tenants in receipt of housing benefit to have their benefit paid directly to the Trust.