Tenant Handbook Final - Manual / Resource - Page 15
Paying your rent
Paying your rent
RENT REVIEWS
CAN’T PAY YOUR RENT?
Rent reviews are carried out annually and are
usually effective from the 1st April. The rent is set
by Cornerstone using the Government Rent Policy.
We will write to you at least one calendar month in
advance to inform you of any change to your rent.
From time to time you may experience financial difficulties, it’s important to get in touch
if this happens and you are struggling to pay all or part of your rent. We can talk things
through, listen to the cause of your difficulties and offer advice and further support on
how to deal with the situation. This could include making sure you are getting all the
benefits you are entitled to and helping you to manage your debts. We can also signpost
you to other organisations that may be able to help you.
Your rent does not include the following items
which you are responsible for paying separately:
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We will discuss arrangements to clear the debt with you so that you can prevent legal
proceedings, which could result in you losing your home. If we make arrangements with
you it is important you keep to them.
Water charges, gas, electricity, telephone bills.
Council tax.
TV licence.
Insurance for your possessions.
If you leave your home owing us rent or any other monies we will take action to recover
the debt.
SERVICE CHARGES
Some properties may have a service charge. A
service charge is an additional part of the total
rental charge, for ‘extras’ not covered by the
basic rent and only applies to your estate or
home. This charge could include items such as:
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Maintenance of communal garden areas
Cleaning of shared halls, landings, stairs or
paths
Cost of maintaining a lift, laundry room, door
entry system etc
Essential regulatory health and safety checks
Building up a fund to cover the cost of the
replacement of equipment, for example a lift
We will review your service charge every two
years with any changes usually effective from the
1st April. We will give you at least one calendar
month’s written notice. We aim to keep service
charges to a minimum whilst also maintaining a
good standard of service.
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What we expect of you
What you can expect from us
The rent to be paid in full on or
before the 1st of the month
A text, phone call, email, letter or visit in the
early stages and legal action if you persistently
don’t pay or aren’t paying the debt owed
Tell us if you are having financial
difficulties and can’t pay
Understanding, advice, signposting for more
support, debt payment arrangements. Legal
action if you don’t pay and don’t talk to us
Rent payments made a priority
over other household bills and
non-essentials
Legal action if you have debt you’re not paying
because you choose to pay other bills or debts
first
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