Aims
The Aims of this policy are set out below:
- To encourage prompt and regular payments of rent to minimize arrears.
- To offer early intervention advice and support to those in need.
- To provide clear advice to officers on managing arrears, and to promote consistency whilst enabling officers to respond flexibly to cases within policy guidelines.
- To take proportionate action on rent arrears at an early stage.
- Provide help and assistance to tenants and leaseholders through partnership working with key agencies to maximise their incomes and manage their finances effectively.
- Develop highly skilled staff that are customer focussed and have access to a range of effective support for vulnerable people.
- Promote a culture of engagement and minimise arrears levels by providing a choice of convenient, accessible, cost-effective payment methods.
- To be effective in our communication, ensuring it is clear and accurate.
- To maintain good relationships with tenants and to adopt a sensitive, sympathetic and appropriate approach to recovering any arrears.
- Regularly seek to improve the service and performance in line with best practice, current legislation and our duty of care.