Newark and Sherwood Homes release new protocol

In response to additional financial pressures faced by tenants since the introduction of the Government’s welfare reform measures, Newark and Sherwood Homes has released its new Tenancy Sustainment and Eviction Prevention Protocol.

These guidelines clearly set out in detail the support that Newark and Sherwood Homes offers to tenants to enable them to sustain their tenancy and to be able to live securely in their own home.

It also demonstrates how Newark and Sherwood Homes will only take proceedings to evict a tenant as a last resort, once all other options have been exhausted.

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Rebecca Rance, chief executive of Newark and Sherwood Homes, said: “Our approach through this new guidance is to support tenants to maintain a good tenancy and be happy in their homes and minimise the need to take court action.

“This should prevent tenants having to pay associated court costs and reduce the risk of them losing their home, wherever possible.

“The guidance shows how tenants will be expected to maintain a clear rent account and stick to an agreed payment plan to clear any rent arrears. It really is a win-win for both our tenants and our company, so we can keep court costs down and deliver the best possible value for all tenants.”

Since the spare room subsidy was introduced in 2013, there has been an increase in the number of tenants in arrears. In the Newark and Sherwood District, the number of households in arrears has risen by 9% since 31st March 2013.

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The new Tenancy Sustainment Protocol is part of Newark and Sherwood Homes’ responsible approach to welfare reform, which also includes a number of initiatives plus a programme of staff training to ensure that employees have the skills to deliver a range of additional support to tenants to help them to sustain their tenancy.

In a bid to help tenants to pay their rent on time and have better control over their money, Newark and Sherwood Homes is working closely with East Midlands Credit Union. This arrangement gives tenants a simpler way to manage their money and pay their rent through the credit union; tenants can also save and have access to low cost loans without having to pay high interest rates charged by some door step or high street lenders.

For more information visit www.nshomes.co.uk or call 0845 258 5550.

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