A new policy on rent collection for council tenants will be more proactive in preventing arrears.
Housing officers say that the changes will allow the council to collect more of the money which is owed, while supporting tenants to stay in their homes.
Councillors discussed the proposed changes and said the new policy would focus more on preventing and intervening early on unpaid rents.
The proposal takes into account that many tenants have moved onto Universal Credit in recent years. It also makes provision for the cost of living crisis and some other council policy changes.
The new policy is intended to build stronger relationships and better communications between the council and its tenants.
Frontline council staff who interact with tenants will also receive training and development.
One council officer said that elected members were being asked to agree to a “high level” policy, with specifics being developed later.
Rent arrears owed to the council at the end of March totalled £11.3 million, up £1.9m – or 20% – from the same period in 2020/21.
Some 44% of current council tenants, 8,181 out of 18,636, are currently in rent arrears.
A total of £4.8m in arrears has been written off over the past five years, though if debtors can be traced or become solvent the council can still chase their debts.
Councillors also agreed to formally ask another council committee to review the council tax collections policy, to align it with the new rent collection policy.
Housing Convener Cllr Tim Pogson said: “Revising the rent collection policy provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen our overall approach focusing on early intervention and prevention.
“Our new Rent Collection Policy places a clearer emphasis on securing rent income while providing enhanced support to tenants experiencing financial pressures, with early intervention and tenancy sustainment at its heart to try and stop tenants getting into arrears in the first place.
“It introduces a range of improvements driven by advances in rent collection technology to simplify processes and improve efficiency. These enhancements include more targeted tenant communications, expanded staff training and development, a wider choice of rent payment options, and strengthened financial hardship support delivered in partnership with advice agencies and other council services.
“We have been encouraged by the positive feedback received from tenants on the proposal, and I am confident that these changes will deliver a more proactive, supportive, and efficient approach to rent collection, benefiting both tenants and the services we provide.”
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
