What if I cannot pay my rent / service charges?

coloured pencils

If you have difficulties paying your rent or service charges or if you fall behind with payments please contact Leasehold Services immediately on 0208 481 7277. No matter how bad the situation may seem, the sooner we know about your difficulties, the more likely it is that we will be able to help you.

If you are in arrears we will want to reach an agreement to reduce the debit until it is cleared, so that you do not lose your home.

We will listen to your circumstances sympathetically and work with you to ensure the debt is managed and the rent paid back as quickly as practical.

Every opportunity will be given to help you but if you continually fail to keep to any arrangements made or claim benefits you are entitled to, we may take further action.

Legal Action

The Group will endeavour to support you if you do fall in to rent arrears. However we will take a firm line with tenants who consistently do not pay their rent or keep to repayment agreements. We will take the appropriate action against those who do not pay what they owe. This can result in forfeiture of your lease and the eventual loss of your home.

If we take any action through the courts, we always ask for the court costs to be added to your debt.

Should court action be started, you have the right to attend the court hearing and challenge the action we are taking. It is advisable to obtain legal advice beforehand.

Alternative action may be taken at a Leasehold Valuation Tribulal who may determine that there has been a breach of your lease. You will be advised of what action is being taken against you and you will have the right of appeal.

Remember if you are having financial difficulties, please contact us immediately.

Please click here to download our leaflet 'Dealing with arrears'.

Latest publication