Council says pay your rent or you could lose your home

Next week, Southwark Council launches its Pay Your Rent campaign, delivering letters to 3,000 people in rent arrears, warning them that they are in danger of losing their home if they refuse to pay their rent. Around £10m in rent is owed by tenants in Southwark alone and while the council will be helping those who cannot pay, it will be coming down hard on those who refuse to pay.

Every penny the council receives in rent goes into providing services for residents such as emergency repairs, adapting homes for disabled people or providing services for the homeless.

As the campaign launches, the message for tenants is clear: make paying your rent a priority above all other costs - you're in danger of losing your home if you don't. If you are struggling to pay, get in touch: call the council on 020 7525 5950 or speak to your housing or income officer in confidence.

The council can help residents struggling to pay by:

• Letting them know how they can pay as soon as possible, before they get into debt
• If residents are vulnerable to losing their home, we might refer them to our support team (Sustain)
• Advising on ways of paying, how to manage their money better
• Advising about weekly or monthly payments for rent
• Signposting to other agencies for help and advice
• Advising on credit and the best options, and what to avoid
• Discussing payment options to help people get out of rent arrears

If residents repeatedly refuse to pay, the consequences can be:

• Loss of the family home - non payment can lead to eviction
• Non payment stops us from doing more for residents - providing facilities for children and young people, and keeping local areas safe and secure are just two examples of the things we do
• Residents' credit rating could suffer if we obtain a money judgement and possession order
• If a tenant has applied for a home transfer, application will be suspended until they clear their arrears.

Councillor Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing said, "During difficult economic times, and especially at Christmas, of course people can find themselves struggling to pay their rent and I sympathise with anyone in this situation. We will support and help anyone who cannot pay, just get in touch. However, those who perpetually refuse to pay cost the taypayer more than just money - their actions reduce much needed services. People need to know that persistent non-payers will lose their homes."

Further information call 020 7525 5950 or visit www.southwark.gov.uk/payforit