Rent Arrears

Knowsley Housing Trust are committed to recovering all debts including rent arrears.

Your tenancy agreement states that you must ensure rent payments are made on time and that your account is kept up to date. If you fall into rent arrears, you risk action being taken against you and if you fail to address the problem, you could ultimately lose your home.


What Should I do if I miss a Payment?

If you fall behind with your rent you should contact a member of the rents team immediately on 0151 290 7000, alternatively, you can call into one of our offices.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THE PROBLEM, HELP IS AVAILABLE

KHT see court and eviction action as a last resort and will offer customers all possible help and assistance in order to resolve the problem. This help includes:

• Giving confidential help and advice
• Advising customers where they may be entitled to help with their rent and other welfare benefits
• Helping to complete Housing Benefit claim forms and ensuring that forms and supporting documents are passed to Housing Benefits
• Making arrangements with you to clear the arrears
• Helping customers who have difficult debt situations by providing money management advice or referral to specialist debt advice agencies.

If I fall behind?

If you fall behind with your rent KHT will take the following steps to recover the rent arrears:

• Telephoning you, writing to you or calling at your home
• Debt Recovery Agents
• Asking the DWP to deduct money from your Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance to make payments direct to the Trust
• Legal action which may result in losing your home.

If you have rent arrears you will not be allowed to apply to transfer to another KHT property and if you are applying to buy your own home, this will be reviewed.

If you leave your home and owe rent arrears, court costs or rechargeable repair accounts, you will be barred from the housing waiting list.

KHT continues to vigorously pursue tenants who have left their home with rent arrears and other debts and now employ a dedicated Former Tenant Arrears Officer who makes referrals on a monthly basis to tracing and collection agencies.