Don’t struggle in silence with rent payments - talk to Rent Assist | Tenant news

We understand that it can be hard to hard to keep up with rent payments given the rising cost of utility bills, food and everyday living expenses.

That’s why we have a knowledgeable Rent Assist Team which can provide practical, confidential support to help you stay on top of your rent and manage your budget.

We spoke with Satjit Kaur, Senior Income Recovery Officer at Habinteg, to find out about the type of help and advice she and her team can give to tenants.

She manages a team of three Rent Assist Officers: Clare Clegg, Sarah Barratt, and Tracy Kerr. Together, they handle recovery of current and former tenant rent arrears. 

Satjit oversees the rent recovery process, provides support to the team, ensures that Habinteg’s policies are adhered to.

What type of advice do you provide to a tenant who is having difficulty paying their rent?

If you call us because you're having difficulty paying your rent, we'll take the time to understand your individual circumstances and work with you to agree an affordable repayment plan. We’ll encourage you to pay what you can and stay in touch with us.

We can also refer you to Disability Rights UK (DRUK), who can help you maximise your income and check whether you're entitled to any benefits you may not be claiming.

In addition, we can signpost you to other trusted support services such as Step Change, National Debtline, your local Citizens Advice Bureau, and other organisations that may be able to assist you in your area.

If I have to go on a repayment plan, am I marked down as a problem tenant?

No, you won’t be marked down as a problem tenant. If you stick to the agreed repayment plan, stay in touch with us, and let us know if anything changes, we’ll continue to work with you positively

I’m working, how can a Disability Rights UK check help me?

Even if you're working and don’t have a disability, Disability Rights UK can still review your situation to see if there are any benefits or additional support you may be entitled to, but aren't currently claiming. Many people miss out on support simply because they’re unaware it’s available.

How do I check my eligibility to get a Discretionary Housing Payment?

To check your eligibility for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), you must be receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with the housing element. Visit www.gov.uk and search for 'Discretionary Housing Payment' for full details on eligibility criteria. Some common reasons for eligibility include:

• Struggling to pay your rent
• A shortfall between your Housing Benefit/Universal Credit and rent
• Rent arrears.
  
  

Each council decides how their application process will work. Your council will look at your circumstances to see whether you are eligible for a DHP.

If you need support or have any concerns about your rent, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call Habinteg Direct at 0300 365 3100 to speak with the Rent Assist Team.

For more information, visit www.habinteg.org.uk/rents.

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