Council Tenants - Having difficulty paying your rent?
Help with budgeting and managing your money
Help with budgeting
It is helpful to make a list of all the money that you have coming in and going out each week: your income officer can help you with this.
If your expenses are more than your income, you can increase your income by:
- obtaining part time work
- claiming benefits: for advice on which benefits you are entitled to, visit the DirectGov Benefits Advice website https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits (opens new window) or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (opens new window)
- claiming tax credits: for advice on which tax credits you are entitled to, visit HM Revenue & Customs tax credits website http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/ (opens new window) or call the helpline on 0845 300 3900
- taking in a lodger (this may affect your benefit entitlement)
- Asking adults who are living with you help with the bills.
You could also cut your expenses by shopping around for cheaper deals on bills such as gas, electricity, telephone and insurance.
Managing your money
There are ways of spreading costs to fit in with your income so that it is easier to manage your money:
- Contact the council tax office to re-arrange payment times.
- Gas and electricity: key or card meters, or weekly/monthly payment cards.
- Pay as you go for your phone.
- Use the TV licence payment and savings cards.
- 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 of rent and council tax.
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 known as loan sharks
- you read and understand all the small print Always make sure that you have enough money left to pay your priority bills.
What to do if you have creditors
Creditors, such as banks and loan companies, often try to persuade people to keep up their payments when they can no longer afford to do so. They can also 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, fill in the court forms, getting help if you wish, and offer a monthly repayment that you are sure you can afford to keep up.