People 1st (Slough)’s rent recovery team are offering help and advice to those tenants who are finding paying their rent difficult, and are urging them not to suffer in silence.
Slough Tenants who do not pay their rent, run the risk of losing their home and the recovery team have already had the unfortunate task of carrying out 14 evictions since April 2007.
People 1st Slough recognises that some tenants have problems with debt management and want to do all they can to support anyone who may be struggling to pay their rent.
Therefore, they are currently holding special surgeries where an experienced rent recovery officer can assist and advise them.
They can also refer tenants to an independent supporting agency, such as Debt and Welfare Advice, Citizen Advice Bureau, REAP Resettlement Agency, Age Concern or Shelter.
The dates and venues of the surgeries are:
* Britwell Talk Shop on Mondays from 10am to 12 noon, every four weeks: 8th October, 5th November and 3rd December 2007.
* Cippenham Library on Fridays from 10am to 12 noon, every four weeks: 12th October, 9th November and 7th December 2007.
* Chalvey, Common room, Brook House, corner of Spackmans Way and High Street Chalvey on Fridays from 10am to 12 noon, every four weeks: 28th September, 26th October, 23rd November and 21st December 2007
Commissioner for Slough housing, Cllr Tony Haines, added: “It can be very difficult for some tenants to pay their rent as well as other bills, so these surgeries could be just the key to helping them balance the books.
“People 1st aren’t here to judge anyone and genuinely want to help those who are struggling to pay their rent. It’s not fun being evicted and we want to stop this happening to as many people as possible.”
Juliet James-Lionel, head of housing for People 1st (Slough), said: “We know many tenants struggle to pay rent because they have so many other bills to pay.
“Some tenants feel that making occasional payments to everyone chasing them is enough, but often it isn’t.
“We really want people to work with us as they will be surprised at how much our team are able to help and tenants will gain a new understanding of the best approach to paying their debts.”
Residents can also go to resident advisors at MyCouncil in Slough High Street and Britwell Talk Shop in Wentworth Avenue.
They can also contact the rent recovery team on 01753 875491/2 or email rentrecovery@people1stslough.co.uk.
Slough Borough Council
