Income Team how we handle debt

Transcription

1 Income Team how we handle debt

2 Our Income Management Team There are three teams within our Income Management service, who have specific roles and responsibilities for managing our general rented homes. The teams are: Income Management Income Control Debt Enforcement These teams are responsible for collecting your rent, and any other debt you might owe such as court costs and repair recharges. We categorisee all debt using a traffic light alert principle: Green Amber Our Commitment to you We ll let you know how much rent (or other debt) you need to pay and when, and we ll contact you if your account payments are not up to date. Our Income and Debt Enforcement Officers are field based in your community to work closely with you. Our Income Control Team, based in our office at Worle, Weston-super- Mare, monitors any debt you have, using personal payment plans they agree with you. They'll do this until all the debt has been repaid and your account is up to date. Red It takes into account: the amount of debt owed account activity any legal status.

3 The teams explained Income Management Team Green debt case management Each officer in this team manages an area of homes, and monitor all payments. They can help: arrange an alternative payment day or cycle if you can't meet the weekly advanced payment every Monday give you budgeting advice if you re concerned about paying your rent discuss possible welfare benefit entitlements Can put you in touch with other specialist colleagues or debt organisations to help you prioritise your budget and payments. If you don't pay your rent, or your payment bounces, this ll automatically flag your account as a green debt category. We ll contact you to catch up the missed payment. If you can t pay you ll need to complete a budget assessment form to help us understand your financial circumstances. After this assessment we may offer you the option of repaying your debt under a personal payment plan agreement. If we do, we ll confirm how much you need to pay and when. We ll give you a copy of your agreement so that you ll be clear about your commitment, our expectations and consequences should you fail to keep to the terms of the agreement. Your payments will then be monitored by our Income Control Team, and your debt will be flagged as an amber debt case. If you don't maintain payments your debt case will be escalated to our Debt Enforcement team who manage red rent debt cases for further action.

4 Income Control Team Amber debt case management This team monitors all amber debt cases under an agreement plan. They re also responsible for collecting former resident rent arrears, court costs and repair recharges. If you think you re going to miss a payment, it s really important to contact us in advance to discuss your situation. If you don t contact us and miss a payment, your debt will be flagged as a red debt case and passed onto our Debt Enforcement Team who can use legal action to to enforce payment. Cases within this category of debt are treated very seriously, and there are consequences if you fail to maintain your payments. Our Debt Enforcement Officers will work closely with you to ensure you maintain your payments until your debt is repaid. If you don't maintain your payment plan or work with us to help you, your debt will be referred to court and you may lose your home as well as needing to repay your debt. If we obtain a court judgement against you for your debt this will also impact on your tenancy rights. Debt Enforcement Team Red debt case management Officers within this team manage: rent debt cases where a we've served a 'Notice of Seeking Possession' in preparation for referring your debt for legal action, and debt cases already under a court judgement. County court judgements effect your consumer credit status making it more difficult for you to obtain cheap loans and other consumer goods under a finance arrangement.

5 Importance of paying your rent or use and occupation charge Payment conditions contained within your original tenancy agreement makes clear that you're responsible for paying your rent to us in advance every Monday (unless otherwise agreed). We can accept payments on a fortnightly or monthly basis if this is easier for you, but you ll need to pay your rent in advance to ensure your account is clear of arrears in between payments. Please contact us if you'd like to discuss this option. If you're unsure how much rent and service charge you should be paying and when, please contact us. also chose pay us a little extra to build up a credit balance to use for future payments when needed. Please note this won t earn interest as a savings account would. If you don t pay your rent, you re in breach of your tenancy agreement which can reduce the security of your tenure and right to stay in your home. If you have difficulties paying your rent Contact us immediately if you have any problems. We can help you to work out the best way of paying your rent and repaying the debt, and can check that you receive all the benefits you re entitled to. Make sure your rent payment a top priority It s important to pay your rent in advance on a Monday or on the date agreed, and it s a good idea to have funds to hand for a rainy day, for example if you lose your job, or have a baby. The best way to do this is by opening a savings account, which you can do with your local credit union. You can Remember, we're here to help

6 Get in touch Weston Gateway Business Park, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS24 7JP T: If you need this information in another format please contact us. February 2014 This document is printed on 100% recycled paper