It’s easy to get carried away over Christmas.  You may even put off paying for important things, like rent and other household bills.

But all too easily this can lead to the stress of owing money at the start of the New Year.

Here are some ways to help you keep control:

• Pay a little extra each week or month to cover your rent over Christmas and the New Year.  No matter how small the amount, it all adds up.
• Set up a direct debit online for a quick and easy way to pay your rent.
• Go to our pay your rent page for more ways to pay.  These include pay point, by phone and MyPlace your online resident portal.
• Set a budget for gifts.
• Talk to us.  We can help.  It’s important to stay in touch with us if you feel you might be struggling financially. Are you already worried about being able to pay your rent? Or maybe you have other debts?  Please call us and speak with your Income Officer. We can negotiate reasonable repayment plans.  We can help with budgeting and check you’re on the right benefits.  We can also put you in touch with a debt agency for help and advice.

Get in touch as soon as you can so that we can help you. Here’s what one resident had to say.

‘I made a call to Brighter Places about a separate issue regarding rent and we began talking about my income and how the Minimum Income Floor applied to my Universal Credit entitlement makes being self employed difficult at times.  Lisa (Income Officer) went above and beyond to help me, really listening to my concerns, making an application to the tenant support fund on my behalf and giving me lots of helpful links. Talking to Lisa has prompted me to find out what other help might be available. Thanks once again.’

If you feel like you would like extra help, please first contact your Housing Officer on 01179 424 600.

Find out more about how we can help you.