Ask for help
We do our best to help people who are struggling. For example, our rents are kept within the benefits cap which means that you won’t need to top up, but people struggle to pay their rent for various reasons and in many cases, they stop engaging when they start falling into rent arrears. It’s vitally important to keep those
lines of communication open.
If we are aware of your circumstances, we may be able to offer support and guidance to get you back on track.
When people move into work, it’s not always clear how much rent they’ll need to pay from their salaries and how much will be paid by Universal Credit. There are helpful benefits calculators online to take the guesswork out of this. For details, see https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.
If you don’t have access to the internet, your support worker or local Citizens’ Advice will be able to advise. Working out your entitlements before you start work will ensure that you don’t fall behind with your payments and help you budget. If you stop paying while your new entitlements are being assessed, you could well end up owing rent.
It’s worth mentioning that billions of pounds in social security benefits go unclaimed each year, including in-work benefits, disability payments and help to heat your home. Speak to , over the phone, or in person to see if you are missing out. Their free advice line is available on 0800 144 8848.
Hardship fund
Cromwood operates a discretionary hardship fund, awarded to those who make every effort to pay their rent but are temporarily unable to do so, perhaps due to an unforeseen change in circumstances. The fund aims to prevent responsible tenants from getting deeper into debt. Tenants who keep us informed of their situation and have a workable plan to reduce their arrears may be eligible for a small payment, offset against their rent account.
If you have problems paying your rent, please contact our team on 0208 826 2800 ext. 2.