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The services that assist those who are in arrears provide a major protection from evictions in The Vale of Glamorgan. Anyone who is falling behind on their rent payments can ask for help, and the results could be surprising thanks to these community partners.

Aid is provided through a combination of government agencies, money advice services and charitable grant making organisations. Together these services work with tenants who are having difficulty making on-time rent payments.

Council Aid

Vale of Glamorgan Council provides an Income Management Team for those who are currently living in council housing. This is the first line of defence against problems that can multiply or get worse with time. For this reason, staff urge anyone living in council housing to seek assistance right away if they are concerned that they will not be able to make their rent payment on-time.

The Income Management Team provides front line advice to tenants who are having difficulty affording all of their bills. This could be due to a number of factors including a reduction in housing benefit, reduced hours at work or a financial emergency that is causing the already stretched budget to burst. Instead of delaying and waiting for the situation to worsen, tenants should call 01446 709512 right away to request an appointment. An Income Assistant can hold off eviction proceedings if there is an earnest attempt to repay the arrears. A feasible repayment schedule can be structured to allow for enough funds to be left over each month for other necessities.

In some situations staff have been able to locate grant funding that could cure the arrears. In others, residents were determined to qualify for additional benefit payments that would allow them to better afford their rent. Though the Income Management Team may refer a resident to the Housing Benefit Office, anyone may call them directly at 01446 709244.

Anyone who fails to seek help through Council may eventually receive a Notice of Seeking Possession. It is still not too late at this time to seek help through Council. Failure to communicate problems and seek a solution could result in a Court Order to repay, which could allow defendants to maintain possession of the property as long as they abide by the terms of this County Court judgement (which carries additional costs of £130 or more). Ultimately though an eviction order could result in forceful removal from the premises.

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Cardiff and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau provides free advice to tenants who cannot afford their rent. The Barry office provides face-to-face advice to seek out alternatives to eviction. Often they find ways to help with all of the bills including rent payments.

Residents may call 01446 733924 to set up an appointment at the Broad Street location in Barry. While budgeting advice is a main focus of each session, there are also opportunities to request aid through external charities that provide support.

DWP

Rent rebates may be possible for those receiving benefits through the Department for Work and Pensions. It is just another tool that can be used to combat evictions due to rental arrears.

Instead of calling DWP directly, Council’s Housing Benefit Office can facilitate this process. Clients may call 01446 709244 to set up an appointment.

Each agency maintains privacy through confidential advice surgeries that can result in less stress for the tenant who is behind on their rent. Charities support their efforts, and often an adviser can apply on behalf of someone who simply needs an extra bit of assistance to make ends meet.